{"id":8452,"date":"2017-11-01T20:22:47","date_gmt":"2017-11-01T20:22:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=8452"},"modified":"2025-06-09T07:36:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T11:36:03","slug":"how-to-finish-the-tournament-when-playing-with-a-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-finish-the-tournament-when-playing-with-a-lead\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Finish The Tournament When Playing With a Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8462\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Play-to-Win-in-Golf.jpg\" alt=\"Play to Win in Golf\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Play-to-Win-in-Golf.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Play-to-Win-in-Golf-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Playing_Your_Best_With_a_Lead_in_Golf\"><\/span>Playing Your Best With a Lead in Golf<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Article Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-finish-the-tournament-when-playing-with-a-lead\/#Playing_Your_Best_With_a_Lead_in_Golf\" >Playing Your Best With a Lead in Golf<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-finish-the-tournament-when-playing-with-a-lead\/#The_main_reason_that_golfers_fall_apart_after_having_a_lead_is_due_to_mental_factors_more_specifically_a_change_in_their_approach_to_playing\" >The main reason that golfers fall apart after having a lead is due to mental factors, more specifically a change in their approach to playing.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-finish-the-tournament-when-playing-with-a-lead\/#This_present_moment_focus_prevents_that_over-anxious_feeling_and_helps_you_swing_the_club_freely\" >This present moment focus prevents that over-anxious feeling and helps you swing the club freely.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-finish-the-tournament-when-playing-with-a-lead\/#How_to_Play_to_Win\" >How to Play to Win:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-finish-the-tournament-when-playing-with-a-lead\/#Golfers_Mental_Edge\" >Golfer&#8217;s Mental Edge<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever been leading by a comfortable margin heading towards the last few holes only to see your lead dissipate by the 18th hole?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe you have played a tournament where you had a 4-stroke plus lead going in to the final round and wound up in a playoff because you blew the lead?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What exactly happens to your game when you give up a significant lead at the end of a round?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Did you lose the ability to swing the club or is there another factor that caused the performance decline?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_main_reason_that_golfers_fall_apart_after_having_a_lead_is_due_to_mental_factors_more_specifically_a_change_in_their_approach_to_playing\"><\/span>The main reason that golfers fall apart after having a lead is due to mental factors, more specifically a change in their approach to playing.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many times, when a golfer has a lead, they change their <strong>game plan.<\/strong> Instead of maintaining the plan that helped them get a lead, they play it safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you play it safe, you play every shot <strong>defensively<\/strong> trying not to make mistakes. The major distinction between playing <strong>aggressively<\/strong> and playing it safe is the nature of <strong>focus.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Playing it safe switches your <strong>focus<\/strong> to what might happen or the possible future outcome. When you worry about losing the lead, you try to play not to lose. Playing it safe causes anxiety to build up and you become <strong>over-focused<\/strong> on trying to avoid mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This <strong>mental approach<\/strong> causes your body to tighten up, making slight variations in your swing. The <strong>mental approach<\/strong> of playing it safe and the accompanying muscle tension cause you to fall into the very traps you were trying to avoid in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you play <strong>aggressively,<\/strong> you are <strong>focused<\/strong> on the process and your plan to hit a good shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"This_present_moment_focus_prevents_that_over-anxious_feeling_and_helps_you_swing_the_club_freely\"><\/span>This present moment focus prevents that over-anxious feeling and helps you swing the club freely.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Dustin Johnson understands the importance of playing to win rather than playing it safe&#8230; In the third round at WGC-HSBC Champions event, Johnson opened up a six-stroke lead shooting 17-under 199, a 54-hole tournament record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Johnson\u2019s plan for the final round is to continue doing the same things that helped him secure a big lead heading into the fourth and final round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>JOHNSON:<\/strong> <em>&#8220;Well, for me, I&#8217;m not going to change anything. I feel like I&#8217;ve got a good game plan for the golf course. You know, I&#8217;m going to play it just like I did today&#8230; But as far as, you know, tee shots and approaches to the green, I mean, I&#8217;m going to try to do exactly what I did today.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To further highlight his <strong>aggressive<\/strong> approach to the final round , Johnson was asked which is more satisfying&#8230; winning by one stroke in a tight race or winning by a large margin to which he responded, <em>&#8220;I would much rather win by a large margin, any day.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The takeaway from Johnson is simple:<\/strong> If you want to win, then play to win. If you want to finish strong, play <strong>aggressively<\/strong> and don&#8217;t protect the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The right approach makes all the difference in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Play_to_Win\"><\/span>How to Play to Win:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Playing to win does not guarantee victory but puts you in position for victory&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always remind yourself what helped you get the lead in the first place and be <strong>aggressive<\/strong> within reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you start to feel anxious, that is your early warning sign that you are being pulled into the play-it-safe mode. Take a deep breath and tell yourself, &#8220;Play to win!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Golfers_Mental_Edge\"><\/span>Golfer&#8217;s Mental Edge<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/golfers-mental-edge20-medium.png\" alt=\"The Mental Edge for Golfers\" class=\"wp-image-13572\" style=\"width:228px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/golfers-mental-edge20-medium.png 360w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/golfers-mental-edge20-medium-270x300.png 270w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s the <em>big sign<\/em> that <strong>your mental game is the weak link<\/strong> in your golf game? When you can\u2019t play consistently as well as when you play a practice or casual round\u2013or your <strong>range game<\/strong> is way better than your game on the course. If you suffer from <strong>lack of focus, low self-confidence, poor composure or other mental game obstacles on the course<\/strong>, you can\u2019t reach your true potential in golf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The<em> Golfer\u2019s Mental Edge 2.0<\/em> Audio and Workbook program is ideal for any <strong>amateur, collegiate, junior, and tour professional golfer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Golf coaches and instructors<\/strong> would also be wise to teach \u201c<em>The Golfer\u2019s Mental Edge 2.0<\/em>\u201d principles to their players. This program is perfect for any golfer who wants to improve performance and consistency by managing their mind better on the course.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-b9073d7f\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-45db0ee8 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/golfers-mental-edge-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-3478a453 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/collections\/for-specific-sports\/products\/golfers-mental-edge-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Playing Your Best With a Lead in Golf Have you ever been leading by a comfortable margin heading towards the last few holes only to see your lead dissipate by the 18th hole? Maybe you have played a tournament where you had a 4-stroke plus lead going in to the final round and wound up in a playoff &#8230; <a title=\"How to Finish The Tournament When Playing With a Lead\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-finish-the-tournament-when-playing-with-a-lead\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Finish The Tournament When Playing With a Lead\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56,13,142,10],"tags":[245,1081],"class_list":["post-8452","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-golf-psychology","category-mental-game-skills","category-sports-psychology-tips","category-sports-psychology","tag-focus-in-golf","tag-playing-aggressive-golf"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.6.1 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Have you ever been leading by a round towards the last few holes only to see your lead dissipate by the 18th hole? 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sports.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.peaksports.com\\\/sports-psychology-blog\\\/\",\"email\":\"coach@peaksports.com\",\"telephone\":\"+14079091700\",\"foundingDate\":\"1996-08-01\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"value\":5},\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.peaksports.com\\\/sports-psychology-blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/06\\\/cropped-2022-Logo-Ball-Blue.jpg\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.peaksports.com\\\/sports-psychology-blog\\\/how-to-finish-the-tournament-when-playing-with-a-lead\\\/#organizationLogo\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Sports Psychology for 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