Your brain on choke

Sports psychologist Roland Carlstedt isolated three brain measures that predict crunch-time performance, plus the best and worst athletic profiles. Guess into which category Phil falls.

IDEAL ATHLETIC PROFILE
High or Low Hypnotic
Susceptibility/Low
Neuroticism/High
Repressive Coping

Performance Relevance:
• Less concern about technical problems
• Less distractible
• Not as sensitive to psychological and physical changes
• Plays through pain; less likely to fear critical moments
Tiger Woods (golf)
Jack Nicklaus (golf)
Roger Federer (tennis)
Steve Nash (basketball)

LEAST DESIRABLE ATHLETIC PROFILE
High Hypnotic
Susceptibility/High
Neuroticism/Low
Repressive Coping

Performance Relevance:
• Breakdown in technique
• Excess awareness of crowd distractions
• Need for ideal conditions to perform at best
• Fear of critical moments
Phil Mickelson (golf)
Sergio Garcia (golf)
Alex Rodriguez (baseball)
Amelie Mauresmo (tennis)