Ha! So Cabrera Won the Masters

Congratulations to Angel Cabrera for winning the 2009 Masters at Augusta National - a worthy winner. But what of my predictions based on a sports psychology view?

Well, if you watched it, apart from witnessing some scintillating and truly exciting golf both Mickelson (finished 5th) and Woods (6th) had it to take but what happened? Mickelson shot out of thestarting blocks 7 behind but got within 2 at the turn only to throw 2 shots away by taking the wrong club at the infamous 157yd 12th with a double bogey. OK, bad mistake but not unforgiveable but with two makeable puts (3 to 4ft) for eagle and birdie on the back nine (15 and 13) he blew it. Big disappointment, he didn't cut it when it mattered. As for Woods, his technical game just wasn't quite there which if you consider this, his performance was impressive.

Ogilvy (14th) didn't get into contention so his big play mentality was irrelevant. Harrington (33rd) was more difficult to work out but for one reason or another it didn't go his way. Probably for the first time, there was genuine expectation from many including the press that he could do it and this (in my view) might have affected him. After the completion of his final round he looked very disappointed but I thought a bit relieved that this pressure would no longer be on him. Poulter (18th) didn't have the bit between his teeth and it showed. A superficial reading of the situation I'm sure, but his body language when he's up for it is unmistakeable!

This leaves McIlroy who hung in admirably but playing the final 9 holes in 31 was outstanding. Watch out for him. He's still playing with freedom and having fun with seemingly no inhibitions - a frightening prospect!!

Why didn't Kenny Perry who'd been leading for so long win? He hung in there with par after par despite what looked like a nervy start and then coming down the wire, he birdied the 16th - maginificent. He played himself into a winning position and he also knew that Woods and Mickelson were no longer a real threat. He then bogeyed the last two holes because the pressure got to him. He still had a 15 footer to take it but missed it. He said he'd seen that put being made many times mentioning Woods but why was he thinking about that?  Oh, well!

It's been fascinating to watch all the many factors that make a winner and they are all woven togetther in a very complex manner which is why sport psychologists are worth talking to. Heeding their advice of course is another thing and actually putting it into practice when it matters most, well that is down to the player himself (as it always is).

Keith

Keith Irving
iStadia