She’s back.
Less than two years ago Seminole’s Brittany Lincicome, 21, was one of the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s glamour girls. Among her accomplishments: a World Match Play Championship. She was chosen for the prestigious Solheim Cup that biennially matches American and European golfers. Her earnings had already surpassed the million-dollar mark. Time magazine referred to her as a “blond, blue-eyed beauty.”
She seemed the embodiment of LPGA marketing manna.
Then she stopped winning. Worse yet, she stopped being consistently competitive. It was a combination of factors, some physical, such as wrist and back issues, some psychological. She wasn’t as disciplined in the off season as she should have been.
“I took too much time in the off season,” she acknowledges. “I bought a boat. I was on it every day. I switched coaches.” And caddies.
Golf stuff happens – especially among uber competitive, elite athletes.
But less than a fortnight ago, Lincicome won the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Rancho Mirage, Calif. And the $300,000 check that goes to the winner. She became the first American winner in the past six majors.
And she didn’t just “win” it. She made ESPN highlights with a dramatic eagle on the final hole to win by one shot. Her 210-yard approach on the 72nd hole left her four feet from the hole. “It was by far the best golf shot I’ve ever hit,” assesses Lincicome.
No one, seemingly, had seen this coming.
What happened?
In short, she was mentally prepared, says Lincicome.
Through her new caddy, Tara Bateman, she had become aware of Vision 54, a sports psychology-emphasizing golf school in Arizona. As a result, she is no longer her own worst enemy when things go awry on the golf course – as they always will.
When on the links, Bateman reminds her to stay in the moment, to do her breathing exercises, to sing if necessary. Indeed, they sang (country music) songs between shots at Rancho Mirage.
“It used to be when I would hit a bad shot, I would get down on myself,” explains Lincicome. “Then I would have four or five bad holes. I had a hard time letting go. Now, my caddy will take me off my bad shot. Take my mind off the negative. Sure, caddies have to be able to read greens, but the mental part is critical.”
After her win, the positively-charged Brittany flew home to Seminole. But not for long. And not for boating. She quickly pivoted out for Phoenix.
Another tournament?
No, Vision 54 sessions.