Back from practice and I realize more than ever golf is 90% mental and the other 10% is mental. I systematically nailed my first attempt from a number of different distances right to the pin then blew my second attempt with varying degrees of embarrasment before recuperating and leaving the rest of the balls pin high (I hit ten balls per distance). What the…?

I started from about thirty yards out with my sand wedge going up through the clubs and further back every time until I had an approach of about 18o yards which is about as far as I go with my 5 iron. Although I left the first 5 iron attempt on the first cut in front of the pin it was close enough to the green to leave a sensation of having hit the thing correctly. The second I felt all kooky for some reason and I pushed the ball left into a bunker I never go in. Hmm. “Never dwell on a bad shot” and all that so I lined up as if nothing had happened and the following shots I felt comfortable again and busted them up to the green. I did the same thing with the pitching wedge, the nine, and the seven irons. Why this sudden second shot curse?

I can only conclude it’s a message from Padraig Harrington. Paddy is sending me vibes to ensure I fully understand that work will overcome talent and despite my first shots being crisp and close to the pins, my second attempts were being sabotaged by the Irishman to teach me the virtues of humilty.

On the 17th Harrington hit a 5 iron to within 12 feet of the hole. A great shot by anyone’s standards and especially in the context of coming home in the final round of the PGA Championship after having won the British Open. Sergio Garcia launched his tee shot into the clouds over Michigan and wooed the ball down to land on the green so softly I’m not sure the mikes even picked up any sound. The ball gently finished six feet from the hole. It’s the type of shot which you will see in crusty old golf documentaries about twenty years from now. The type of shot which oozes raw talent.

The thing is, Padraig sunk his putt and Sergio didn’t. Padraig won and Sergio didn’t. Padraig sent me a message about how hard work and a dose of humble pie will keep my head down and my handicap respectable. And Sergio didn’t.

I hear you Paddy. Lesson learned.