31 Aug '12 15:41>
Most of us would agree that simple ability is not sufficient in the cauldron of professional sport. The ability to perform under pressure is something that can separate the good amateur from the pro, and the greats from the very good.
So who would you say was the best at handling pressure in any sport you choose?
I'll go first with golf and nominate Nick Faldo. I watch a fair bit of golf (and am a Brit), and I have racked my brains and cannot remember any occasion when I think Faldo cracked under pressure. I can think of many occasions when he same through under the severest of tests.
Two examples (and you can watch them if you like):
1) Muirfield 1992 The Open. Faldo had been pushed all the way by John Cook of the USA. He had just holed 'one of those' at the 17th. He needed a par at the tricky last. After the drive, he had a tough 3 iron to the green. It never left the flag.
YouTube
2) 1995 Ryder Cup. Faldo basically needed to make a 4 on the final hole to secure the cup. He drove into the rough, Curtis Strange drove into the fairway.
Faldo then showed the ultimate in composure. He did not attempt to thrash the ball to the green. He laid it up to wedge distance and backed himself to get up and down. He wedged it to 5 feet and holed the putt under the most intense pressure.
YouTube
There are other examples I can think of. But as I say, I cannot recall a time I ever thought he crumbled under pressure, even if he hit a bad shot.
Faldo had the reputation of an emotionless automaton. If you watch the videos, you will see that is not the case, and if you read what he says about these moments, he will tell you he was quaking inside. But he managed to conquer this and play wonderfully thought out and executed shots when it mattered most.
Over to you.
So who would you say was the best at handling pressure in any sport you choose?
I'll go first with golf and nominate Nick Faldo. I watch a fair bit of golf (and am a Brit), and I have racked my brains and cannot remember any occasion when I think Faldo cracked under pressure. I can think of many occasions when he same through under the severest of tests.
Two examples (and you can watch them if you like):
1) Muirfield 1992 The Open. Faldo had been pushed all the way by John Cook of the USA. He had just holed 'one of those' at the 17th. He needed a par at the tricky last. After the drive, he had a tough 3 iron to the green. It never left the flag.
YouTube
2) 1995 Ryder Cup. Faldo basically needed to make a 4 on the final hole to secure the cup. He drove into the rough, Curtis Strange drove into the fairway.
Faldo then showed the ultimate in composure. He did not attempt to thrash the ball to the green. He laid it up to wedge distance and backed himself to get up and down. He wedged it to 5 feet and holed the putt under the most intense pressure.
YouTube
There are other examples I can think of. But as I say, I cannot recall a time I ever thought he crumbled under pressure, even if he hit a bad shot.
Faldo had the reputation of an emotionless automaton. If you watch the videos, you will see that is not the case, and if you read what he says about these moments, he will tell you he was quaking inside. But he managed to conquer this and play wonderfully thought out and executed shots when it mattered most.
Over to you.