The Devil Wears Prada and also wins Championships
How Rory McIlroy Used Distraction and Acceptance to Win Under Pressure
Rory McIlroy winning the 2025 Players Championship wasn’t just about great golf—it was also about managing his mind. The night before his playoff win against J.J. Spaun, Rory watched The Devil Wears Prada to calm his nerves. It gave his mind a break and helped him relax. But that didn’t mean everything went smoothly. He still woke up at 3 a.m. with racing thoughts.
Instead of fighting his nerves, Rory accepted how he felt. He knew he couldn’t control his restlessness or anxiety, so he focused on what he could control—making good swings.
Distraction Can Be a Weapon
Sometimes, when your mind is racing before a big competition, trying to force yourself to calm down makes things worse. Rory’s choice to watch a lighthearted movie gave his brain something else to focus on—allowing him to relax, if only temporarily. But distraction doesn’t just help the night before; it can also be powerful in the heat of competition. Shifting your mind away from pressure-filled thoughts can stop anxiety from spiraling out of control.
Of course, distraction isn’t a perfect fix. Despite his movie night, Rory still woke up at 3 a.m. with racing thoughts and nerves. He didn’t panic or try to force himself back to sleep. Instead, he accepted how he felt. Rather than resisting the nerves or obsessing over how tired he might be, Rory focused on what he could control: making good swings.
That acceptance became his advantage. Instead of burning energy fighting his restless night or worrying about his fatigue, Rory embraced the nerves, stayed present, and focused on executing one shot at a time.
What Can You Learn from Rory’s Approach?
Distraction as a Reset: Find something lighthearted or enjoyable to give your mind a break before and or during competition. It’s not about ignoring your nerves but creating space to relax.
Acceptance Over Resistance: When nerves hit, fighting them only amplifies the stress. Accept your feelings, focus on your routines, and trust your preparation.
Control the Controllables: Like Rory, focus on what you can manage—your mindset, your breathing, and your next shot. Let everything else be what it is.
Rory’s win proves that success isn’t about feeling perfect—it’s about embracing imperfection and staying committed to your process.
Mid-Week reflection for you to think about:
What’s one thing you can control the next time you feel anxious before a big round?
MPGA Upcoming Events:
If you are interested in diving more into mental training with us, join us on our upcoming April 10th web class called “Building Resilience in Young Female Athletes.” Learn mental strategies on building confidence, resilience, and self-compassion to become the best performer and player you can.
RSVP here: https://www.mpgagolf.com/buildingresilience
