Pressure & The Role of Consistency

Scottie Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler won the 2024 Master's on Sunday, shooting a total score of -11 and beating second place, Ludvig Aberg, by four strokes. 

While I don't watch a ton of golf, watching Sunday's final round at the Masters is something I really enjoy. For one, the course is absolutely beautiful and one of a kind in my eyes. Two, I love the fact that a single event brings the best players in the game, regardless of country or age, to a single tournament. Finally, the pressure to play your absolute best is front and center. Even the best in the world feel it, and you see golfers either rise or fall on the leaderboard in a single round.  

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That leads me to today's topic, which is pressure in sports. 

I believe every athlete, in every sport, feels pressure in the biggest games, tournaments, matches, etc. It's human nature. What I think is overstated, however, is that most athletes feel pressure to "play their best" in the biggest games. While certain athletes have certainly hit more big shots in big moments, I think a lot of fans forget that these same players have also missed a ton of clutch shots. We quickly forget the misses and often remember the makes forever. 

In Scheffler's case, I was so impressed by his poise. He approached each hole one at a time, and the "pressure" seemed to effect him less because he didn't focus on playing his best. I think he simply told himself, "just keep playing the way you've been playing." 

Of course, one could argue that Scheffler had a comfortable lead. Had he been down by three or four strokes, maybe his approach would've changed. 

My advice to young athletes today is this: don't expect to miraculously turn into Michael Jordan in a close game. Instead, focus on playing your game, whether it's the first quarter of the fourth. Consistency may be what makes you clutch. ​