Relentless Determination

Sunday afternoon and early evening I had a single focus, Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open. At the 17th and 18th holes on Saturday Tiger birdied and then fired an eagle. Three strokes below par on two holes, just enough to give him a one stroke lead going into the final round. High drama!

On Sunday Tiger faltered early. But he did not quit. As the final round progressed he fought his way back into the lead. But he had some bogey problems late in the round. And it came down to a tricky putt on the 18th hole for birdie to move into a tie with Rocco Mediate and a Monday 18 hole playoff.

Tiger is a man possessed by winning golf tournaments. Many others might have folded under the pressure. Many others might have thought it not possible to move back into a share of the lead. But there is no quit in Tiger, and that is what makes him such an admirable person to me. He can never be counted out.

Are we as determined in our profession, should we be? And what of others around the world, are they not just as determined? When it comes to the contest of wills do we recognize the stubborn determination in others and understand that much like Tiger, they will work long and hard to try to find a way. That may have them using methods that might seem surprising and too costly to us, but deemed worth the cost to them. Have any examples to share? Hank