Psychology Of Negative Language: McIlroy Made To Talk About His Augusta 80

I want you to read this Rory McIlroy quote carefully. It followed a press conference question yesterday concerning his round of 80 in 2011.

"That's probably the only time I've cried over golf. Last year was nothing compared to that. Especially blowing a lead in the final round of the Masters, because you never know if you're going to get that opportunity again.
It makes it easier these days when you have two majors in the bag. Not that you don't care as much, but it's not the end of the world. You know that you will have more opportunities, and you've taken a couple of opportunities already.
I have no ill feelings toward 2011. I thought it was very important day in my career. It was a big learning curve for me. And I don't know if I had not have had that day, would I be the person and the player that I am sitting here, because I learned so much from it.
I learned exactly not what to do under pressure and contention, and I definitely learned from that day how to handle my emotions better on the course.”

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First its disappointing that Rory was asked about that AGAIN and on the face of it his answer is patient and honest but now read it again looking at all the negative phrases highlighted. 

"That's probably the only time I've cried over golf. Last year was nothing compared to that. Especially blowing a lead in the final round of the Masters, because you never know if you're going to get that opportunity again.
It makes it easier these days when you have two majors in the bag. Not that you don't care as much, but it's not the end of the world. You know that you will have more opportunities, and you've taken a couple of opportunities already.
I have no ill feelings toward 2011. I thought it was very important day in my career. It was a big learning curve for me. And I don't know if I had not have had that day, would I be the person and the player that I am sitting here, because I learned so much from it.
I learned exactly not what to do under pressure and contention, and I definitely learned from that day how to handle my emotions better on the course.”

I do hope recounting all that pain will embolden McIlroy to great performance this week and not the opposite. A little psychology is a dangerous thing.

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