Sept 22, 2008 -- As I watched the action from The Ryder Cup this past weekend, I -- like everyone else -- was riveted by the drama and the great golf. There were so many great shots, so many moments that I kept thinking would be the most memorable and it somehow just kept getting better and better.

Anthony Kim's focus led to one moment of embarrasment and many moments of excellence during his first Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty Images)

But there was one moment that really stood out for me, and it wasn't a golf shot. After Anthony Kim made a clutch par putt on the 14th hole on Sunday, he pumped his fist and immediately made a beeline for the 15th tee box. There was just one problem: the match was over. Kim had won and he didn't realize it. And though it gave some people a reason to laugh a little, it also impressed me quite a bit -- because it showed a focus and a determination to play his own game that more players need.

Conventional wisdom says that stroke play and match play are different in that in stroke play you are playing against the course, and in match play you're playing against your opponent. While it is true you score them differently based on those two variables, if you settle on a mindset that only plays your opponent, you can cost yourself tremendously.

My philosophy is to play the course -- you need to be aware of the standing of the match, but play the golf course, not your opponent.

For instance, if your opponent happens to hit a big drive on a narrow hole that you had planned to play safe and hit a 3 wood off the tee -- should you go against your strategy and try and hit a big drive too? No. Stick to your strategy and don't hit shots your not comfortable hitting. Play the percentage shots. If you focus on what your opponent is doing, you will create additional mental and emotional problems.

Match play can easily play with your emotions too. It is important to maintain your composure and not get too excited about winning holes, or dejected by losing holes. A perfect example of this was when Hunter Mahan made a long birdie putt on the 17th hole on Sunday. He was so fired up you would have thought he won the Ryder Cup right there. But unfortunately, he still had one more hole to play in order to clinch the win. I liken it to drinking a cup of coffee before going to bed. You can ramp yourself up so high that you can't regain control and get in a relaxed state of mind. And so on the 18th tee, Mahan puts his drive into the water and basically hands the hole (and half a point) to Paul Casey.

Also on Sunday, J.B. Holmes was playing in a critical match. He too was full of emotion and jacked up after a huge drive on 17. But, as everyone saw, he took time to take several deep breaths and calm himself down before hitting his approach shot. And once he was ready, he calmly hit a great shot 2 feet from the hole, made a birdie, took the lead in the match and ended up winning a critical point.

But to me, it all goes back to watching Anthony Kim. He annihilated Sergio Garcia in their match -- I believe because he wasn't focused on what Sergio Garcia was doing. He stayed totally focused and paid attention to his own game. He came out and birdied three of the first four holes, took a lead and never looked back.

So for all golfers who enjoyed the action from this Ryder Cup, that is what I would encourage you to apply to your game. Keep your focus and your emotions in check. Play the kind of golf you are most comfortable with. If you stay in the moment, stay with your plan, better scores and better golf will come your way.

Chip Sullivan is the PGA Director of Golf at Ashley Plantation in Daleville, Virginia. Sullivan was the 2007 PGA Professional National Champion, was a member of the victorious 2007 PGA Cup Team and has played in five PGA Tour events in 2008 (making the cut in three). Sullivan also served as the U.S. representative at the Japan PGA Championship (where he had a top 20 finish) and is a member of the PGA.com Advisory Board.