Tom Lehman Quotes

I've really learned over the years how to control my adrenaline and let it all out when they shoot the gun versus letting the crowd and the lights and the camera get to me.

Maybe I'm the kind of athlete who absorbs the atmosphere instead of trying to block it out.

Nerves, stress and the pressure to perform are a part of life. You don't have to conquer these feelings; just learn to live with them.

I try to keep myself in what I'm doing and focused on character stuff, as opposed to getting wrapped up in worrying or being nervous. It won't benefit me, in any way, to focus on that.

When I got to match point in the final I was afraid I'd be a little nervous, but I just said, You have to stay focused, just think about what you have to do.

The biggest thing I tell the boys is control the heartbeat. It's hard to do, but we've gotta be able to control the heartbeat in big moments because it goes really quick. So just stay in that moment and focus on the moment, don't get ahead of yourselves, and just play the game that we've been playing all year.

You have to bury nerves, because they can either destroy you or give you that extra boost. You have to use your nerves in a good way. Don't let them destroy you.

I don't show tension and nervousness, but I know how fast my heartbeat races before a race.

It's what happens in other major championships - I just lose my head a little bit.

It's hard because you want to be able to just, okay, focus your energy on trying to win the match, but you need to then have tactics as to how you're going to deal with how you're feeling.

People think I look odd onstage. But the way I deal with being incredibly nervous is by concentrating really hard.

The big trick in putting is not method; the secret of putting is domination of the nerves.

Tiger Woods, Larry Bird, Wayne Gretzky, a pitcher just before a game, I would imagine they all have nervous energy. But as you perform, the nervous energy dissipates and you start to relax and you start to do what you do best.

Before a race, I block out what's going on in the stadium. It's different for everyone. But for me, I've always been able to block it out. For a sprint race, it's important not to get distracted.

When I was playing football, I always felt in complete control. When I play golf and come under pressure, it's a completely different ball game.

I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon as I see the targets, I tune them out.

The pressure makes me more intent about each shot. Pressure on the last few holes makes me play better.

I've always felt how players handle the pressure was the most interesting part of golf.

Pressure comes from myself, because I expect a lot, but I am trying not to put so much pressure on tournaments and to be less emotional during matches.

We try not to let pressure get into our heads and play the way we usually do.

I like to be funny. I can't stay all the time focused, disciplined, controlled. Behaviour like that is impossible. If the players are too nervous before a game, I have to relax them, calm them.

Whenever you give a shot, the nervous energy in your stomach is the key to that emotional breakdown, that kick that is needed to perform.

For some reason, the busier I am at the track, the better I tend to race. I think it's because I don't have to deal with all the distractions outside the car that can get me in trouble at times.

You can feel up, you can feel down, and you have to keep your emotions kind of somewhere to be focused on the next ball.

I understand that when people try to wind me up, it's because I'm playing well. Whenever I had trouble, it was because I reacted to something. Now I'm much more focused on the game and on doing my job.