Sept. 3 -- This week's lesson learned is all about focus. How many times, whether you're a world class player or a weekend warrior, is the tournament, or your round decided by something in the last few holes? Maybe "decided" isn't the proper term, more like "defined?" Anyone who has been watching PGA tour golf lately knows that this has been the case, especially with Sergio Garcia.

Take the last few tournaments for example. Sergio, who has been criticized for his putter failing him, strikes the ball beautifully at the PGA championship, for the most part that is. With the lead going into #16, Sergio hits his shot in the only spot you can't, the water. On the other hand, his competitor, an opponent who has been on fire, Padraig Harrington, makes a 40 yard sand save (a 20 foot par putt I might add) to tie for the lead. No big deal right? Padraig stuffs one on the next hole, but wait, Sergio hits it closer! Sergio misses the putt, Padraig makes, and we all know the story from there. I think we could all agree that focus down the stretch wins you tournaments, lack there of on the other hand, will lose them in a heartbeat. Padraig showed us the type of focus I'm talking about at this year's Open Championship. Playing against a fierce competitor, crafty veteran Greg Norman, Padraig absolutely turned it on on the last four holes. I even got the feeling that if he were to continue playing, he might peak after another 9 holes. You can feel that energy when you're watching...focus?? Absolutely, Padraig didnt' even blink the last four holes. You could feel his same momentum at the PGA this year, down the stretch.....using every shot in his bag.

Last week at Ridgewood we saw the kind of determination again. Sergio makes what looks to be the tournament-winning putt, and Vijay drops one in right on top of him. Sergio loses the next hole. What about this week at the Deutsche Bank? Sergio again, so close yet so far. Sergio looked poised in the opening part of the round. Only to have a few putts not fall at the end. Let's be honest, golf is all about luck at times, and Sergio has not been able to get the big break. The funny part is though, he is losing because other players are getting the big break, and he's missing out on golden opportunities. Mike Weir chips in just off the green on #17, Ernie drains a 40 foot bomb on 18, Camillo Villegas shoots a scorching 63 in today's final round, to finish 2nd place, whereas Tim Clark bogeys 6 of his last 12 holes, and Sergio lips out time and time again only to fall out of the mix.

Golf is no doubt a fanatical sport, physically and mentally draining over four days. So remember, focus as much as possible down the stretch, and with a little luck, you might make that tournament winning putt or chip.

Andrew Mitchell is the Director of Golf Operations at Grande Pines Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. He is a proud alumnus of Penn State University and has worked with Marriott Golf since early 2000. He has worked in every aspect of the golf industry as a golf shop manager, head professional, and now director of golf. Andrew served as Head Professional at The Frog Golf Course at The Georgian Resort in Villa Rica, Georgia, prior to arrival at Grande Pines.