Sunday evening, Brooks Koepka won his 2nd straight US Open title. This feat which hasn’t happened since Curtis Strange back in the late 1980’s is an accomplishment in itself. However, Koepka overcame another adversity on his way to the title.
Earlier in the year, Koepka sustained a partially torn tendon in his left wrist that required a four-month break. He didn’t start hitting wedges and 9-irons until the Monday after the Masters. During The Players in May, he tweaked his wrist again.
How did he overcome the injury and lack of practice time to be able to win the US Open just 10 weeks after starting to hit wedges again? What can athletes regardless of sport learn from Koepka?
First of all, he is a confident athlete that doesn’t let the ups and downs of each shot nor each round affect his confidence. He even declared himself the most confident man in the field this week. Building and maintaining confidence regardless of circumstance allows us to weather any obstacle.
One of his main sources of confidence comes from his physical maintenance. Looking at Koepka one would think he was a football player not a golfer. It might be more accurate to say he is an athlete that plays golf. He has dedicated himself to being in the best shape possible. This naturally creates confidence. Additionally, when you are in shape it allows you to bounce back from injury more quickly.
Then he used the injury as a “This is Good” moment (https://r2lc.com/2016/02/08/r2lc-podcast-1-this-is-good/). Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he focused on the good that could come out of it. The injury gave him a new outlook for the game. He started to miss and appreciate golf more. Additionally, Koepka had never been one to watch or study golf but without being able to play he started watching the Masters.
Many athletes today don’t understand the benefit of watching their sport. When we watch, we learn. Especially if we can visualize ourselves in the situations we are watching.
I can only assume that Koepka used this down time to enhance his game mentally. Visualization is a tool that athletes can use at all times but especially during injuries. Practicing your sport in your head is as effective as physically practicing.
Koepka has never been one to care what others thought. Therefore, it doesn’t bother him when he isn’t given much of a chance to win a tournament or when others consider him an athlete not a golfer. He doesn’t care if he’s not supposed to win, he believes in himself because of the work he has put into the game mentally and physically. He is a “Confident Athlete.”
If you want your game to improve even during adversity, get yourself in shape, watch, learn, visualize.
Tami Matheny is a Mental Game Coach and Author. For more confidence building advice, check out “The Confident Athlete: 4 Easy Steps to Build and Maintain Confidence” online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. (https://r2lc.com/the-confident-athlete-4-easy-steps-to-build-and-maintain-confidence/) or follow on twitter @tamimatheny.
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