The Green Jacket could not have adorned a better man

One: You need not be born in the United States or Europe with tonnes of money in your dad’s account to be a winner in golf.

Two: You need not have the greatest of short game to win a title. What is more important is overall consistency, nerves of steel and single-minded dedication.

Three: Tiger Woods is human and can be beaten, after all.

There are these stories that I heard while playing in Asia how Vijay used to borrow money from other players so that he could enter the next tournament. In fact, the Fijian even recounted one instance when he had just $ 10 in his pocket but betted $ 750 for a round with a club member so that he could have enough money to travel to the next venue. All this just goes on to prove that if there is a will, there is a way. After Asia, he graduated to Europe and won a couple of events within the first two years. Once he moved to the US PGA Tour, there was no looking back.

Vijay has the reputation of being the hardest-working golfer in the world. There have been days when he hit the course at the break of daylight and left only when he started losing his practice balls in pitch darkness. It would have been difficult to deny him his achievements after that kind of determination, dedication and hard work.

The most stunning statistic of Vijay’s Masters win was that he needed 124 putts to complete the four round with six three-putts. That would mean 31 putts per round which is extraordinarily high for a champion. Of course, he was helped by the fact that he found 58 greens in regulation despite the gusty wind of Augusta National. I am sure he must have spent the next four hours on the putting green after collecting that massive winner’s cheque of $ 828,000.

And finally, the Tiger Woods factor. Tiger has been playing so well in recent months that even if he is trailing by eight strokes on the final day, every one, including the leadergroup, give him more than a fair chance of making a charge and emerging triumphant. But Vijay never looked bothered about Woods, or Duval, or Els, or anyone else, for that matter. He played to well within himself, never tried to play safe or aggressive and was as cool as a cucumber throughout.

As I watched Vijay making history at the Masters, I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between him and myself. His earlier story, like the struggle in Asia and the move to Europe, has been so similar to mine. After watching him, I know what to do for making possible the next big leap. You got to practice and practice till you are perfect. And you got to believe in your own abilities. I am extremely worked up at the moment and just want to head for the course.

Sadly, I will have to wait for at least another month or till the time my wrist recovers completely. Till then, I will keep hoarding such motivating stories like Vijay’s.

(Tiger Sports Marketing)