Time for Suzann Pettersen to play up to her potential
Norwegian Suzann Pettersen, who can rightly be compared with some of the most prominent Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) contenders like Yani Tseng, Stacy Lewis and Na Yeon Choi,
has been a little troubled about not playing up to her potential lately.
Pettersen has been known for her solid putting skills that have seen her make several memorable records. When it comes to long hitting, the Norwegian star is not too far behind, but she is
trying to reshape her game these days as she thinks that it is time to toughen up and bounce back with full force amid the hype of fast-approaching new season.
Pettersen’s fans have been concerned about her current performance, as they still recall how the LPGA phenom racked up five titles in the 2007 season, which also included a major victory at
the McDonald’s LPGA Championship.
Even the year 2011 went well, as it saw her win the Sybase Match Play Championship in May and Safeway Classic in August. The 2011 LPGA season is regarded as a transitional phase by some because
Asian contenders sidelined top-ranked European and American players, seizing most of the top positions in the Women’s World Golf Rankings.
Observers say that although Pettersen has not performed as good as her fans and she had hoped, she is still able to stand out as possible victor in major and non-major events.
She herself is not willing to wallow in her performance slump that saw her winless for several months, instead she has decided to look at her game from a different approach.
Sharing her thoughts during the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2012 where she tied for 19th, Pettersen said that she is aware of the pressure that comes from fans and admirers, but she
will not let her nerve derail her just because she has not been able to win in the recent past.
Yani Tsen g, who is still number one despite having faltered in most of the recent tournaments, is a prime example. Tseng has not been able to put an end to her brief victory drought—and the
reason is nerves that eventually produce inconsistency.
“Well, this year has been kind of a little bit of an odd year, I feel like. I feel like I've done some really good stuff and then a little bit more inconsistent year than recent years in
the past. At the same time I've been feeling good,” said the 31-year-old who has also won five titles on the LET (Ladies European Tour).
Some say that the media hype and glamour have a lot to answer for, as her recent bold step to shoot for ESPN Body Issue a few months back not only put her in the public eye but she also started
paying more attention to off-course activities than what she is actually known for.
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