Dustin Johnson has an enemy on his radar. Now in his 40s, the two-time major champ is getting to the age where pain seems to surface out of nowhere, sometimes even just after a good night’s rest. However, his resurgence has also made him a target for other golfers, who sense an opportunity to take down the former world number one. One of those golfers is Joaquin Niemann, who’s paired with Johnson on Sunday and is relishing the opportunity to go head-to-head with the two-time major champ.
Luke Kerr-Dineen recalls the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, where Tiger Woods staged a miraculous comeback, sinking a tricky 12ft birdie putt to force a playoff.
Niemann’s got a secret weapon, though – a lucky charm given to him by a young golf fan. The wristband, which spells out Niemann’s name in beads, was handed to him at the first tee, and he’s worn it proudly ever since. “Yeah, it was special,” Niemann said with a smile at the LIV Golf Singapore press conference. “I will see if it’s a lucky charm.” And well, the golfer sure doesn’t have his doubts because the lucky charm seems to work its magic. How? Let us help you understand.
Niemann took the lead with an incredible seven-under 64 on Friday, tying with Dustin Johnson for the top spot and a shot at the $4 million prize money. The 26-year-old stuck to his game plan and stayed focused on the moment. “Yeah, still the same mindset,” he said. Although Johnson had been struggling with injuries, Niemann knew he’d be a tough opponent to beat. But with his lucky charm on his side, Niemann felt confident about his chances on Sunday. “First of all, I wanted to obviously win the tournament,” he said. “But it was definitely on my mind that there’s a spot for the US Open, which I wasn’t in.”
Jun 18, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Joaquin Niemann plays his shot from the 12th tee during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
As Niemann gears up to face Johnson on Sunday, eyeing a bigger prize – a win that will secure the tournament title and earn him crucial points to qualify for the U.S. Open, Niemann takes on the challenge with his lucky charm and solid game.
The power of lucky charms in golf
Luke Kerr-Dineen recalls the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, where Tiger Woods staged a miraculous comeback, sinking a tricky 12ft birdie putt to force a playoff. What’s often overlooked is that Woods wielded two lucky charms that day: his iconic Tiger headcover and legendary red shirt, courtesy of his mother.
While golf fans may view these items as mere fun factors, research reveals that lucky charms can actually enhance performance. A 2010 study published in Psychological Science found that individuals with lucky items outperformed those without them in various experiments, including a golf-specific one.
Kerr-Dineen notes that the study’s findings are fascinating. Researchers gave golfers “lucky” golf balls and found that they holed more putts than those using regular balls. In another experiment, people who were told “I’ll keep my fingers crossed” performed better in a motor-dexterity test. Study author Lysann Damisch concludes that lucky charms can boost confidence and performance.
So, the next time golfers hit the course, they might want to bring a lucky charm along – and Joaquin Niemann clearly has one. Can he win the tournament this time? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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