[JPsuff]

Originally Posted by PA PLAYA

I made mention a while back that Phil has become the "Tom Cruise" of golf, with this increasing interest to explore the scientology of golf equipment. Be it with 2 drivers in the bag, no driver in the bag, the 64* wedge, or the ideal putter for crosswind, etc...

This past week, suddenly none of that stuff mattered. It was all about finding a way to survive with the raw talent and mental skills that each player could muster. So it wasn't surprising to me that Phil struggled in the manner he did. Granted -- the conditions exposed a majority of players last week. But again, I think it kinda hilights where his mind is with his game.

In the end, he somehow finished in the top 20. He played two rounds for a total of -1, and played the two other rounds for a total of +15. I think there's where the practical answer lies -- his inability to not get ahead of himself and grind. Phil used to be a better grinder than he is now. And in my opinion, that aspect of grinding has much more to do with strategy and mental discipline than physical talent.

Of course, his short-range putting hasn't really helped matters either.

Talent wise, he is still one of the best imo. But mentally, he becomes average at best.
I guess that's about the best way I can describe my thoughts on the matter.

And what you wrote is more along the lines of what I was trying to say overall. In case some of you haven't noticed, I do tend to get a bit "overly-wordy" from time to time.

No really, It's true!

And I sometimes go off on tangents which then become sources for further argument. Thanks PLAYA for saying - in a very simple way - what I was trying to say in a very complicated way and, I guess, never quite did.


Good job!


-JP