Bottle of Britain
Last updated: 18th April 2008
Rose: blew it
A very British phenomenon in the final round is almost to play to avoid disaster rather than to capture that green jacket.
Nick Hastings
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Golf psychologist Nick Hastings told Golf Night that British players do not have the right mentality to win a major.
The US Masters in Augusta turned out to be a disappointing event for the British contingent as Lee Westwood finished tied 11th with Paul Casey, Ian Poulter slumped to tied 25th and early leader Justin Rose finished back in tied 36th.
Hastings claims the fear of failure is a "British phenomenon" and causes the players to play defensively towards the end of a tournament, rather than attacking the course like they do in earlier rounds.
"Obviously it was very disappointing for the Brits," he told Golf Night.
"For me it was about the shift from attack to defence towards the end of the tournament.
"For the first three rounds there's less to lose and they can go out and attack the golf course, but a very British phenomenon in the final round is almost to play to avoid disaster rather than to capture that green jacket.
"It's much like going into a boxing ring and trying to avoid getting punched; it's ultimately caught up with them and you've seen what happened."
If the British stars need an example of mental toughness, then Hastings says they should look no further than Tiger Woods whose success is built on the desire to finish first.
Focused
He continued: "Tiger's game is obviously in great shape. He hasn't won the first major of the year and he'll be very disappointed.
"But his interview after the event showed how purely focused on winning he is and that's where the Brits falter.
"There's too much focus on getting a decent finish and a decent cheque, but Tiger goes out there to win every single time and you can see how effective that is."
Former European Tour pro John Hawksworth agreed with Hastings, saying none of the British players seemed capable of putting together a good score on the tough final day.
Great Britain has not tasted success in a major since Paul Lawrie's Open triumph in 1999 and Hawksworth admits he is struggling to see where the next champion will come from.
"I can't see any of the British players challenging at the moment," he said.
"It was such a tough Sunday and it was a day where you needed to grind a round out like Padraig Harrington did - but he was a little bit far back to challenge.
"Westwood didn't putt so well, while Casey got to eight under which was the winning total and then back-pedalled. On a Sunday in a major you've got to be able to stand up and be counted and handle the pressure.
"Unfortunately our lads haven't done it for a while and at the moment they'll be hurting quite badly and licking their wounds.
"It might only be a matter of a time before a Brit comes through and wins a major like Paul Lawrie did, but I can't really see it at the moment."
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