Why Jordan Spieth Won The Masters

April 13, 2015
by Todd

“Why Jordan Spieth Won The Masters”
By Todd Durkin, MA, CSCS

Sometimes there are days or workouts where I remember how good it is to feel “young.” The body feels good. There are little aches. And I’ve got that “pop” that I used to just take for granted.

But it’s not always like that.
It takes more time to warm-up.
More time is needed on stretching. Recovery. Supplementation.

Just to capture the fountain or feeling of YOUTH again.

After arriving back from Australia Sunday afternoon from teaching at Filex (that 17 hour flight will NOT leave your body feeling young :)), I caught the last 2 hours or so of the legendary Masters golf tournament.

I wanted to see if this young 21 year-old kid Jordan Spieth could keep his commanding 4-stroke lead going into today. I had heard great things about him from my friends at Under Armour. I have read a lot about how composed and unflappable he is for being such a young kid.

And man-o-man, what a performance.

He finished at -18 (that tied the record of Tiger Woods of 1997 and actually was at -19 going into the last hole, but he bogeyed – kind of played it conservative and safe on that last green).

Justin Rose finished at -14 and tied for 2nd with Phil Mickelson – both played great and played well enough to win in most years – but not this year with Jordan’s impressive 4 rounds.

Rory McILroy made a bit of a run – picked up 6 strokes to finish at -12, but again too much ground to make up.

Tiger Woods finished at -5 and never made a charge – physically he looked tired…

So WHY did Spieth win? Perhaps it was one of the following:

He wasn’t “overthinking” his shots on the course.
He was not over-emotional – sort of a “cool cucumber” like Jack Nicklaus was back in the day.
He really had nothing to lose coming in to the Masters, he had never won it or any GOLF MAJOR – nor was he the “heavy” favorite to win… although expectations were for him to play well.
He had done well in some other PGA events and that had to boost his confidence.
He played his game, not someone else’s.
More “experienced” – certainly not – but he knows what it takes to win – US Amateur Champ – 2 years in a row and led the University of Texas Golf TEAM to a National Championship.
And youngest gold at age 19 to win a PGA tour event (not a MAJOR however).
Jordan has had the same primary GOLF skills Coach since he was 12 years old – 9 years under the tutelage from the same person.

Perhaps it was one of the reasons. Or maybe it was just his time where everything aligned and his mind, body, the elements, and environment all were in sync.

The WOW this week is YOUTH. Whether you are “young,” “old,” or somewhere in between 🙂, what can you do to capture that feeling of being young again?

Sometimes it can work for you, sometimes against you, but in Jordan’s case it worked for him this weekend at Augusta…

Was he in better shape physically? YES.
Was he in better shape mentally? YES, he was looking “forward” and not behind. He lead from the start … or as some would say.. HE lead from the front.
Was he in better shape emotionally? Yes, he had a huge support TEAM with UA on the scene and his entire family, grandfather and Mom and Dad and siblings were all present.

It’s great to see a young man who seems to have it together win a MAJOR tournament.

When you see outstanding performance this week, regardless of age of the competitor or the participant, recognize it.

Pat them on the back, look them in the eye, give them a high-five and tell them you love them. And maybe, just maybe, they will WIN their “Masters” someday.

In closing, while we all don’t move like we are “21” again, a wise-man once told me this:

“When you’re YOUNG, your body is beautiful and your brain is mush…
When your OLD, your brain is beautiful and your body is mush…
Peak performance happens when your brain & your body are both ‘beautiful.’”

Whether your 21, 31, 41, 51, or 91, remember what it’s like to feel young again and do your best to create your championship performance.

Get a massage. Stretch more. Eat clean. Take a yoga class. Play more.

And then go for the gusto! There is no time like NOW!!!

Much love… and much “YOUTHFUL” spirit.

Todd

Todd Durkin, MA, CSCS, is an internationally-recognized performance trainer, bodyworker, speaker, author, and owner of award-winning gym Fitness Quest 10 in San Diego, CA (one of the Top 10 Gyms in the U.S.). His outstanding team of 38 professionals deliver extraordinary service in personal training, sports performance training, massage/bodywork, Pilates, yoga, physical therapy and chiropractic. Todd is the Lead Training Advisor for Under Armour, regular contributor to Men’s Health, and author of The IMPACT! Body Plan.

Todd Durkin created a “DOSE of DURKIN” to motivate and inspire people through weekly text messages every Monday morning that infuse video, audio, or just plain text messages. They are guaranteed to get your mind right and fire-you up. Check out DoseOfDurkin.comto OPT-IN and start receiving your FREE messages.

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