Hello everyone, Sarah Chen here, your golf instruction editor for The Daily Duffer. As we hit the midway point of the Players Championship, what an exciting and, frankly, surprising tournament it’s been! We’ve seen some incredible highs, like Ludvig Aberg holding a two-shot lead, and some unexpected struggles from players we’ve come to expect consistent excellence from, like Scottie Scheffler.
The leaderboard is a perfect illustration of golf’s universal truth: any round, any day, anything can happen. Even the best in the world can find themselves battling just to make the cut.
;)
6 notable players who missed the cut at 2026 Players Championship
Josh Schrock
I loved Jessica Marksbury’s observation:
“The World No. 1 battling the cutline at the Players is highly unexpected. The long, post-round range session in the pouring rain yesterday certainly didn’t bode well for today’s performance. And while everyone is entitled to an off week or two, it’s just not something we have come to expect from a ball-striker of Scottie’s caliber.”
This highlights a crucial point for all golfers, from tour pros to weekend warriors: even the best struggle. What separates them isn’t always perfect play, but often their ability to recover and adapt. This week, we’ve seen incredible resilience, and that’s something every golfer can cultivate in their own game.
The Power of the Turnaround: Embracing Resilience
One of the most inspiring stories emerging from this tournament is Keegan Bradley’s remarkable comeback. Nick Piastowski noted:
“Keegan Bradley’s turnaround was pretty stunning. He was six-over for the tournament after 19 holes — then played seven-under golf after that.”
Think about that for a moment. Six-over after 19 holes. Many golfers would have mentally checked out, assuming the round was lost. But Keegan dug deep and found a way to turn it around dramatically. This isn’t just about swing mechanics; it’s about a mental fortitude that allows you to reset and commit to the next shot, regardless of what’s come before.
This kind of resilience isn’t just for the pros. You can apply this mindset to your own game. How many times have you had a few bad holes and let it dictate the rest of your round? I often tell my students that every shot is a new opportunity. Forget the last one, and truly focus on the one in front of you. This is the essence of course management and the mental game working together.
Finding Your Flow: The Aberg and Conners Effect
While the focus is often on those battling back, there are also players like Ludvig Aberg and Corey Conners who’ve found a fantastic rhythm. Zephyr Melton, an associate game-improvement editor, mentioned:
“Outside the obligatory Scottie Scheffler answer, I’ll go with Ludvig Aberg. Sure, he played well last week, but outside of that he’s been pretty pedestrian for quite some time. I’m excited to see if his fine form lasts through the weekend.”
And Josh Schrock gave a shoutout to Corey Conners, whose best finish this year was a T24 at the Sony, but who “birdied five of his first six holes on Friday and holed out for an eagle on the par-5 ninth.” This kind of explosive play comes from confidence, a reliable swing, and a clear game plan.
What can we learn from these players? Consistency isn’t always about hitting every shot perfectly, it’s about having a swing you trust under pressure and a mental game that allows you to capitalize when things are going well. When you find your “flow,” golf can feel effortless.
Drills for Building Resilience and Consistency
To help you develop both the resilience to turn a round around and the consistency to find your rhythm, here are three drills you can incorporate into your practice:
Drill 1: The “Forget It” Reset
This drill helps build mental toughness and the ability to move past a poor shot. On the range, intentionally hit three “bad” shots – a shank, a slice, a fat shot – on purpose. After each bad shot, take a deep breath, close your eyes for a count of three, and then open them and visualize a perfectly executed shot. Then, step up and hit what you intend to be a good shot. Repeat this sequence multiple times. The goal is to physically and mentally reset, demonstrating to yourself that a bad shot doesn’t have to lead to another.
Why it works: It trains your brain to break the negative feedback loop that often occurs after a poor shot. You’re actively practicing moving on, which is vital for building mental resilience on the course.
Drill 2: The 5-Ball Consistency Challenge
This drill focuses on improving your ball-striking consistency with a specific club. Choose a mid-iron (7 or 8 iron). Pick a target on the range and commit to hitting five consecutive shots that land within a small, imaginary circle around that target. If any ball misses the circle, you have to start the count over from one. The pressure of knowing you have to restart if you miss forces better focus and commitment to your swing mechanics. Once you achieve five, move to a different target or a different club.
Why it works: It simulates course pressure by adding consequences to each shot. It encourages consistent tempo, alignment, and contact, which are fundamentals of finding your flow like Aberg and Conners.
Drill 3: Pre-Shot Routine Refinement
Many golfers rush their pre-shot routine when things are going poorly, or lose focus when things are going well. Practice your full pre-shot routine diligently for *every single shot*, even in practice. This includes visualization, alignment, and your trigger movement. The routine should be consistent whether you’re hitting a tap-in putt or a driver. This consistency creates a mental anchor and a reliable framework for executing each shot. Try this: before your next practice session, write down your ideal pre-shot routine steps. Then, perform those exact steps for every shot you hit, just like you would on the course.
Why it works: A strong, consistent pre-shot routine helps you “reset” before every shot, regardless of the previous outcome. It builds mental discipline and ensures you are fully committed to the shot at hand, promoting better decision-making and execution.
Remember, golf is a journey, not a destination. There will be ups and downs, fantastic rounds, and challenging ones for all of us, including the very best players in the world. What matters most is your approach to each shot and your belief in your ability to improve. Keep practicing, stay positive, and I know you’ll see great strides in your game!
