Hello, Daily Duffer readers! Sarah Chen here, and I’ve just been reading about Anthony Kim’s incredible victory at LIV Australia. What a story! His return to competitive golf, after all those years away, and then to clinch a win against top players like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, it’s truly inspiring. It really highlights something I tell my students all the time: mental game and clutch putting can turn any round around.
The editors at GOLF.com certainly echo that sentiment:
“Anthony Kim’s early comeback golf was fascinating, compelling theater. But there was no sign that this was coming. He was not competitive in his first two years on LIV. He got relegated. That seemed an anticlimactic but inevitable end to the experiment. I was amazed and impressed that he made it through LIV’s Promotions event to earn his spot back; that was impressive. But chasing down Rahm and Bryson in the final round of LIV’s biggest event is like, six tiers up from there. Shocking on several levels.”
This “shocking on several levels” win, a 63 to beat two of the best in the world, isn’t just about a good swing that day. It’s about a golfer who found a zone, particularly on the greens, and refused to break under pressure. “He didn’t miss a shot the last…two hours?” remarked Dylan Dethier. That’s the kind of performance we all dream of, and it’s a testament to belief and execution under pressure.
So, how can you tap into that kind of mental fortitude and putting prowess in your own game? Let’s break it down.
The Power of the Clutch Putt: Making the Hole Your Friend
One of the most striking observations from Anthony Kim’s win was his putting. The GOLF.com editors were buzzing about it:
“Everything dripped into the center of the cup like there was nowhere else these putts could go. Reminds me of a Paul Azinger phrase from the day after Smith had that birdie barrage at the Old Course: “His putts, they would have fell into a thimble.”
Imagine your putts falling “like there was nowhere else they could go.” This isn’t just luck; it’s a combination of solid mechanics, consistent rhythm, and a strong belief in your stroke. When the hole seems as big as an “asteroid crater,” as James Colgan put it, it’s often because your mind is completely focused on the target, free from doubt.
Drill 1: The “Thimble” Challenge
Try this: On the practice green, find a putter cover, a small bottle, or even a thimble if you have one. Place it directly behind the hole, leaving just enough space for a ball to drop. Now, practice putting with the intention of having the ball drop directly into the hole without touching the front lip OR the putter cover. This drill forces you to hit the exact center of the cup with perfect speed. It trains your eyes and stroke to visualize that direct, true roll. Focus on a smooth, accelerating stroke.
The Mental Comeback: Believing in Your Ability
Anthony Kim’s journey wasn’t just about his golf swing; it was a profound personal comeback. As Dylan Dethier noted, he “vanished. Off the grid. Out of the public eye. For over a decade… he said his golf game was ‘non-existent.’ That was seven years ago.” To return from that to shooting a 63 and winning by three strokes is a testament to the power of a strong mental game and perseverance.
Your golf journey might not involve a multi-year hiatus, but every golfer faces mental roadblocks. Doubt, frustration, and pressure can derail a good round faster than a hooked drive. Kim’s ability to remain focused and thrive under pressure, especially in a tournament with “massive crowds and frenetic energy,” shows the advantage of a clear mind.
Drill 2: The “Pressure Cooker” Practice
Here’s a drill: Set up a scenario on the practice green. Imagine you have a 5-footer to win the club championship, or a tricky 10-footer to save par on the 18th. Create a consequence for missing (e.g., you have to do 10 push-ups, or buy a friend coffee). This adds a layer of simulated pressure. Before you putt, go through your full pre-shot routine, visualizing the ball dropping perfectly. Focus intently on the process, not the outcome. The more you expose yourself to simulated pressure, the better you’ll manage it when it counts.
Swing Mechanics Under Duress: Consistency is Key
While the focus on Kim’s putting and mental toughness is clear, you can’t shoot 63 without solid ball-striking, especially for those last two hours when “he didn’t miss a shot.” When you’re in the zone, your swing feels effortless and repeatable. This consistency comes from practice and understanding your body’s movements.
In my experience teaching, many amateur golfers struggle under pressure because their mechanics break down. They try to hit the ball harder or change something mid-swing. The goal is to develop a swing that is resilient and holds up when the stakes are high.
Drill 3: The “One-Handed Finish” for Balance and Control
Try this: For your mid-irons, after you hit the ball, try to hold your finish position with only your lead arm (left arm for right-handed golfers) holding the club, while your trail arm (right arm) is extended towards the target. Hold this position for a count of three. This drill immediately highlights any balance issues or over-swinging. If you’re off-balance or your lead arm can’t comfortably support the club, it means your weight transfer and body rotation might be inefficient. This encourages a balanced, controlled swing, leading to more consistent striking.
“I’m thinking that the last time Anthony Kim won a golf tournament, Instagram didn’t exist. Literally. The fact that your winless streak can span three Presidential administrations, a decade-long disappearance from public life, two years of the most dispiriting tournament golf played by anyone on planet earth … and STILL end with a victory? There are no words. That’s just golf magic.”
Anthony Kim’s victory is more than “golf magic”; it’s a testament to the fact that with dedication, a clear mind, and consistent practice on your fundamentals, you can unlock incredible performances. Anyone can improve, and stories like Kim’s are powerful reminders that golf is as much a mental game as it is physical.
So, get out there, practice these drills, and believe in your ability to make every putt feel like it “would have fell into a thimble.” Keep swinging!
