Big Play

WHO: John Daly

WHAT: Missed three-foot par putt

WHERE: Par-4 16th (second extra hole) at Harding Park

WHEN: AmEx playoff

WHY
Daly missed his two-footer because a tidal wave of bad thoughts overwhelmed all the great things he'd done last week. Daly thought about the ugly three-putt bogey at the 71st hole, his horrific year on the greens (he has plunged from fifth in putting average in 2004 to 127th in '05), the pressure of trying to outduel Tiger Woods and his 20-month victory drought.

MICHAEL'S TIP
Practice under pressure

To learn to deal with nerves, you have to build confidence under pressure. Do that by playing games with a consequence for losing. For short putting, I attempt to make 25 consecutive three-footers (right) with a penalty if I miss one, such as starting over or skipping lunch. After you drop 15, you'll start to feel the heat, and that will help when you face the same putt on the course.

Michael Breed teaches at Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, N.Y., and is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher.

... AND ANOTHER THING
"So far, Michelle Wie's career has been scripted for a financial payoff, which she got. Now she has to prove that she can win with her huge talent."

Top 100
TEACHERS POLL