Other / Alsy / 18 March 2008 / 1

Morgan in the driving seat - Allsy picks Tiger Woods as the sportsman in the world who best handles pressure but Roger Federer, Michael Jordan and a few others get notable mentions

As the "Big Four" face off, Sky Sports have dubbed this Sunday's Premiership fixtures, "Grand Slam Sunday" with Manchester United hosting Liverpool and Arsenal visiting Chelsea. I'm not quite sure how the "Grand Slam" title is relevant to two games where no trophies will be won or lost but the inference is clear - these "big" games always create big pressure for everyone concerned. Players will battle their own nerves as well as their opponents. At the end of the battle the most influential players will be ones able to deliver under pressure.

Johnny Wilkinson's goal kicking, Ellen MacArthur's sailing and Michael Jordan's jumpshot; sports fans and punters alike revere athletes who can handle pressure, especially in Formula 1. You can currently back Lewis Hamilton at [2.04] to win the 2008 Drivers Championship which is pretty miserly odds for a 22-year-old who has only started 18 races in his entire career. Punters and F1 fans recognise that Hamilton, despite losing last year's title to Raikkonen, has the ability to perform under extreme pressure. Even when Hamilton does make mistakes he's often able to quickly remedy the situation with his talent and temperament securing him a staggering 13 podium places and five race victories wins so far in his fledgling career.

I've always believed in God-given talent but without tireless dedication no athlete will reach the top of their sport. As the French Open approaches Roger Federer fans will hope he'll rediscover the pre-eminent form of former years. Recent losses coupled with clay specialist Nadal will certainly test his pressure-bearing credentials to the limit. His dip in form is reflected in the prices to win with Federer at [5.9] to win compared to Nadal at [1.99]. Whoever you back you can be sure that Federer and Nadal will practise tirelessly in an effort to produce their best at Roland Garros.

Coaches can also play a major role and arguably require the same steely composure demanded of their athletic charges. Football coaches fine-create teams that mirror their own character and philosophy. Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are both masters of the pressure game so when deciding which team will win the Premiership you always have to factor in the strengths of the managers.

It's no surprise that, as Arsenal appear to be succumbing to pressure, Alex Ferguson's Manchester are [1.63] favourites to win the Premiership. As one of the most experienced and successful managers around, Ferguson has made a career from handling pressure. So who is the athlete who excels under pressure like no other? For me it's Tiger Woods every time.

Last week Tiger Woods sunk a 24-foot putt that simply beggared belief to continue a six-month winning streak. Having been in a five-way tie for the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill at the final round Woods swept through the field until the final hole when he birdied to clinch a seventh consecutive title. Here it is if you haven't seen it yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLAsNqxlhK4

It's difficult to detail the palpable tension that preceded Tiger's monster putt but the most apt reaction came, not from the victor, but from his closest competitor. "It didn't surprise me one bit," said second-placed Bart Bryant. "Nothing he does surprises me any more." Whether you believe it's training, muscle memory or God-given talent that makes Woods so impressive there are few athletes in any sport who seem to handle pressure so adeptly.

You can back Woods to win a Grand Slam (obviously not the one featured on Sky Sports this Sunday) of titles in 2008 at [15] and on current form (and past history) it's a tempting price. Alternatively backing Woods to win Three Majors Only at [7.2] offers a good alternative if you think a Woods Grand Slam too fanciful... just don't expect Tiger to predict anything but world domination. Self-belief is an integral part of the winning process.

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1. Rynier | 22 July 2008

   I personaly do not believe that you can say Tiger handels the pressure the best of all the above Sportsman.As Tiger is in a leage of his own in the sport he play's as he won 14 majors already as the rest of the field he is playing against has only won a few majors between them selfs.However Federer in tennis has alot more competitive players to compete against.In the early 60's and 70's you had Jack , Gary and Arnold all more or less the same class of players playing against each other which creates more presure to win.That is why I say that Tiger is so talented that no one can realy compete against him as he is far ahead of anyone in golf at the moment which creates less pressure if he play's in a Tournamet .

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