Sporting Cock Ups

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We have all seen this happen whether we are at the stadium or watching it on television. Players under pressure don't always think and their mental toughness lets them down. They wilt under the pressure and only realise what they have done afterwards. These individuals become a household name overnight for all the wrong reasons.

Everyone forgets what they have done throughout their careers and singles out those few seconds of madness that tarnishes everything they have achieved. Time is a healer as fans and supporters will forget , but that player will have that entrenched in their memory banks for life.

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Today professional sport has so much money riding on it and it is not only the embarrassment in front of millions but it will likely cost you millions for yourself and your team mates if you are part of a squad. A golfer would have a team even though it is an individual sport as the caddie gets a cut of the winnings as well.

Sponsorship deals and numerous spin off deals hinged on the victory are lost so the stupidity can actually cost 10's of millions depending on the event. All the hours of training that have gone into whatever event you are doing and to let it slip away must be demoralizing and definitely a confidence drainer.

I will share one such story now of a certain French golfer player in the British Open. His name was Jean Van de Velde and what he did on that fateful day was pure madness. The year is 1999 and the British open is being played at Carnoustie.

Leading by 3 strokes and playing the 18 th Hole he needed to play it in 6 shots which is two over par to win the title. For those of you that don't play golf he basically had two extra shots which is a luxury you would rarely have.

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To say he messed up is an understatement. He teed off and hit a wayward drive that disappeared onto the 17 th hole. His second shot went into the grandstands and unluckily it bounced out after hitting a railing and going backwards 50 odd meters into thick bush. If it had stayed there he would have got a free drop and been able to go for the green. He could have played safe now but no he went for the green and you guessed it found the water. He then took off his shoes and socks as he contemplated hitting it out of the water. Luckily for him he didn't and as it is a hazard you drop the ball from the furthest point from which it traveled over the hazard. He then played for the green and landed in the bunker. He chipped out and then made the putt for a two over score of 7 forcing him to play off with two other players which was won by Paul Lawrie. The funny thing is the engraver was already putting his name on the trophy which had to be changed rather rapidly.

Jean Van de Velde found water again in 2005 playing in the French open which cost him victory. Is he unlucky or just someone who can't handle the pressure?