Don't Let Up When You're Ahead

It's human nature to ease up a bit when you hold what seems to be a comfortable lead. But the Watrous/Cruickshank match is ample proof of the danger of complacency. As Jerry Travers said, "Never prematurely announce the funeral of your opponent." 

 

Wrote Simpson, "With five up, play greedily for more -- play a five-yard putt as if the match depended on it." 

 

Locke never was accused of being one of golf's nice guys, but he rarely finished last. He was proud of his "killer instinct." Locke would tell himself, "I'm going to beat this fellow over the head and keep on beating him until his skull cracks.'" 

 

It is this Lockean willingness to roll over an opponent that marks the toughest match players. As Hutchinson wrote, "It is an un-Christian counsel, but the mood for success in golf matches is a silent hatred -- temporary only, be it observed -- of your opponent."

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