THE FORCE THAT CAN'T BE MEASURED
What often happens in golf, and most commonly at Augusta during Masters week, is that you see a champion who is fueled by the inexplicable forces of desire and intention. Something Shotlink or Trackman can’t measure, something not learned from a book or a mental coach. They may have been born with it, or something happened in their life to gift them this superpower, often stemming from tragedy or adversity. Every now and then you have somebody who displays this power, and that is when I love golf the most.
Just look at what 2026 has brought us in the other worldly comebacks of both Anthony Kim and Gary Woodland. Those two stories alone make up two of the greatest comebacks in the history of golf. And as we mosey down Magnolia Lane towards the 2026 Masters Tournament, just think of all the uncanny winners in the tournament’s recent history. Last year’s win by Rory, fueled by a decade of Major heartbreak but never giving up, claiming victory over an equally passionate and relentless Justin Rose. Tiger in 2019. Sergio in 2017. On and on we go all the way back to ’95 when Ben Crenshaw took down The Masters only 5 days after his lifelong mentor and golf coach, the legendary Harvey Penick, had passed away. Ben had no business winning The Masters that year the way he was playing, but he tapped into that fire which sits at the bottom of your heart and at the top of your gut. It’s the fire that makes you feel like you could be sick. The one that gets you out of your thinking mind and turns on some deep, primal part of yourself which sends a message to the course, your competitors and the universe that you are the force of nature here. You are going to win the day!
Often enough, or likely more often, the sensible golfer wins. That is how you train these days; to be in control of your emotions. Don’t get too high and don’t get too low. That’s great and makes sense, for how else could you survive the rigors and monotony of Tour life? That is what makes Scottie and Ludvig so powerful in this sport.
On Sunday, it might be Ludvig, and it might be Scottie. But it might also be the guy who is playing with that burning in his heart and guts, the guy who has let his instincts play golf for him, who is playing for something bigger than himself. I’ll be cheering for that person – The Passionate Champion.