The human mind is definitely the 15th, and the most effective, club in your golf bag during any given round. And the best part is, it's legal.

Of course, it is a double-edged sword. A strong mind will always help you go low. Just muddle the same mind with the slightest of negative thoughts, and suddenly, par would seem like a gift from heaven.

My opening round on Thursday at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic was a classic example of how the sub-conscious affects our game. I shot a four-under par 68 in what was easily one of the toughest conditions I have ever experienced at the Majlis course.

Out of practice

That gave me joint lead of the tournament.

To be honest, this round should have never happened. I was woefully out of practice coming into the tournament, having spent the entire last week in the hospital with my wife as we had our first baby. I hardly touched my clubs and the only meaningful session at the range came on Tuesday and Wednesday.

But there was one huge advantage I had over the field as I headed towards the first tee on Thursday — I did not have any expectations, and I have been feeling on top of the world for the last few days.

The joy of having your first child is always special, but it multiplies many times when you have gone through the pains of losing a baby before. Lack of match sharpness would have been the last thing to bother me.

No bother

So, you can now see how the 15th club came into play. I just went out there in blustery conditions, intent on enjoying my game.

Nothing bothered me, not an errant tee shot on the opening hole, or the weak chip on the third, and certainly not the putts I missed.

I knew I would make a few mistakes, and I was absolutely fine with that.

It also helped that ours was definitely the hottest group of the day. All three — Edoardo Molinari, Robert Rock and me — were on top of the leaderboard at one stage or another.

Edoardo continued playing unbelievable golf, while Robert's putting was exceptional.

Now that I have started so well, it will be difficult for me to maintain the same mind-set for the rest of the tournament.

There will be loads of expectation now. I will surely become result-oriented. It's now going to be a case of how I manage these expectations.

 

Jeev Milkha Singh is a three-time winner on the European Tour