The Golf Watch

The nerves of a first timer at Augusta

We hear stories all the time about professional golfers having first tee jitters, but it's rare to hear golfers share feelings of extreme anxiety.

David Barrett provides a few excerpts from reigning US Amateur champion Danny Lee's press conference, and below are a few of the more noteworthy quotes:

Q: Do you think it’s possible, could a guy like you at your age and lack of experience, could you win this week?

DANNY LEE: No. I’m having really bad nerves at the moment, seriously. All of the crowds yesterday, I was nervous, really shaking my clubs, and wasn’t swinging properly. I’ve never seen that many crowds out there and, you know, that many greatest players playing in this tournament. I’m still nervous and I’m trying to relax every time and trying to practice hard and see how it goes.

(Later) Q: I’m worried about you being nervous. This is a long way for a boy from Rotarau High School; will you get your nerves under control by the time you smack it the first time?

I’m working on it. Still having nerves from the media stuff again.

Q: All friends, Danny.

I’m trying to think this is friends, and when I get nervous, I can’t really talk properly, because my nerves are breaking down and I’m having a stomach ache, too. I’m serious. I’m trying to calm myself every time, but I know as soon as I go outside the clubhouse and watch all of those crowds out there, I cannot get relaxed or nice and calm like that. But I’m still working on it.

Mickelson successfully defends Northern Trust title, avoids disastrous final round

Phil Mickelson went from a struggling golfer in his first three tournaments to a champion in his most recent, successfully defending his title at the Northern Trust Open with his old set of irons. 

Mickelson got into some trouble during his final round, but with birdies on two of his final three holes, and bogeys on the 18th from Steve Stricker and Fred Couples, Lefty was able to pull through.  It shouldn't be forgotten that Mickelson shot two-under on the par-4 10th this week.

In other golf news, 18-year-old amateur Danny Lee won the Johnnie Walker Classic.  Forget the Rory McIlroy talk, why aren't more people jumping on the Lee bandwagon?

Singh plays spoiler at Barclays, Lee youngest to win Amateur

It was a pretty thrilling Sunday all around with the Barclays, U.S. Amateur, and Safeway Classic.

First, the Barclays. The new FedEx Cup points system doesn't thrill me (note, I won't use the word volatile), but the first playfoff event was incredibly suspenseful at a gorgeous Ridgewood CC. 

Sergio Garcia, for only the second time this year (the first time at the Players), drained a putt at the end of the day Sunday (first playoff hole), proving that he can putt under pressure and win on Tour.  But Vijay Singh showed his resolve, countering with his own birdie putt, and another one on the second playoff hole to lock up the first playoff event.  Read the wire story here.

As for the U.S. Amateur, Danny Lee became the youngest player, at 18 years, 1 month, to win the prestigious title.  As Rob Balicki of Golfweek writes, Lee followed the trend of this year's injured major championship winners with an injured shoulder.

And then there are the women.  Unfortunately, I could only catch the highlights on Golf Central, but Cristie Kerr persevered at the Safeway Classic winning in the second three-way playoff of the day.  Check out the wire story here.