Coruscation

There is more room for distraction in golf, which is less reactive and more reflective than sports like football or tennis. The best players' minds are like the bags toted by their caddies. They have lots of compartments, tuck away personal matters before a round and collect them afterward the way they do their watches and wallets.

Paul Goydos, who lost to Sergio García in a playoff here in 2008 and is tied for 15th entering the final round, said, "I think most golfers, regardless of what's going on in their lives, have to be able to compartmentalize."