Some thoughts on Rory McIlroy's finish at Pinehurst in the 2024 US Open

You tell yourself to 'avoid the water'. And what then happens...

There was an interesting article on BBC Sport the other day about American golfer Tony Finau.

It was highlighting the fact that since his win at the Puerto Rico Open in 2016, Finau has finished inside the top ten of PGA events, thirty times!

Shane Lowry's win at Portrush was a triumph of team-work with his caddie Brian Martin offering clarity of ball to target thinking that offset any premature title winning feelings.

Sometimes expectations can destabilise the game of even the greatest of players. As we discovered with Rory at Royal Portrush.

It's Sunday at the Augusta National. And defending Masters champion Jordan Speith is in dominant mood. A run of four birdies has left him seven under par after nine.

It's possibly the highest golfing mental attainment.

That is the ability to detach yourself completely from your outcomes. It's the Zen Of Golf.

It's the Monterey Country Club. California. The Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

And South Korea's Sung Kang has just created a little bit of local history.

A course record sixty has given him a share of the clubhouse lead at the halfway stage.

It's the start of the European Tour season. Spaniard Sergio Garcia starting promisingly with a seventh place finish in the Qatar Masters.

Garcia, as always, strong from tee to green.

But an average of 31.5 putts per ro

Seeing your game unravel in front of millions of people.

That's not something you dream of as a top sports professional.

But it has its upside. If you know how to learn!

He was bulletproof. A giant of the game.

King of the golfing world. Immune from weakness.

Striking fear into the hearts of his opponents with his mental strength.

It’s Ryder Cup Saturday.

Europe are heading for what looked likes certain defeat in the Chicago heat.

Then up steps Ian Poulter.