1.HOW DO YOU WIN THE OPEN?
From trigger words to anger management; five recent Open Championship winners reveal the secret of their success.
BY REPEATING A ROUTINE
Rory McIlroy, 2014 winner, Royal Liverpool
Rory won his first Open by two shots and put his success down to focusing on two key phrases: ‘process’ and ‘spot’. “‘Process’ was for my long shots–I just wanted to stick to my process and stick to making good decisions, making good swings. ‘Spot’ was for my putting; just pick a spot and try to roll it over my spot every time. I wasn’t thinking about holing it or what it would mean, I just wanted to roll that ball over that spot. And it worked.”
BY HANGING IN AND MAKING PUTTS
Phil Mickelson, 2013 winner, Muirfield
Lefty entered the final day five strokes adrift and remained adrift until hitting the turn, yet he won by three. “I was behind the whole day but I wasn’t thinking I needed to make or force birdies. I was just trying to hit good shots. And I putted as good as I ever have in my career and that was key. Links greens have been the reason why I have not been in contention very often (in Opens). But the birdies weren’t ever forced. They just happened.”
BY CHANNELING POSITIVE ANGER
Ernie Els, 2012 winner, Royal Lytham
With nine holes remaining, Els trailed the leader Adam Scott by six. As Scott imploded, Els won by a single stroke. “I bogeyed 9 and I was really angry with myself and that almost set me in a different mindset. It really got me aggressive. I hit a lot of drivers on the back nine and I was just trying to make birdies. I felt good, like I could still win and I was just playing golf right in the moment, for once. Think positive and positive things happen.”
BY GETTING LUCKY
Darren Clarke, 2011 winner, Royal St.George’s
Darren Clarke led from the second round and finished three clear of Phil
