IKIN ON COURSE
Ex-Bronco feels more settled ahead of second Qld PGA
GOLF: Ben Ikin knows how to perform under pressure.
He won an NRL premiership with the Brisbane Broncos in 2000 and played 17 times for Queensland – making more than his fair share of big calls and plays.
He admits, however, that he was not fully prepared for the pressure that would come with making his Queensland PGA debut last year.
“It was tough. It felt like my heart was beating outside my chest the whole time I was playing,” he said.
“I felt that pressure when I stepped up and I played two pretty bad rounds.”
A lot has changed, mentally and physically, over the past 12 months, though, and Ikin feels he is better prepared.
“My preparation was a bit of a mad rush last year – getting my handicap down so that I could play,” Ikin said.
“I wrongly assumed that getting my handicap down would eliminate the bad golf from the game, and I was trapped in the mentality that I had to play great golf around the pros.
“Things have settled a lot over the past 12 months, though.
“I’ve closed the gap between my good performances and my bad ones – everything is just that little bit tighter.
“At the same time I’m a little more accepting of my bad shots and I’ll be more focused on just playing my best game.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to play again.
“Toowoomba is a great city and the City Golf Club is fantastic.
“The course is looking great with the recent rain.
“I’ve played golf all over Australia, in Asia and America and I think it (the City course) is one of the best around.”
Matt Guyatt, Ikin’s coach, accompanied him during his practice round yesterday and is adamant he is better prepared this time round.
“Ben has really grown as a golfer over the past 12 months,” Guyatt said.
“The build-up this time has been a lot less technical because physically he’s doing a lot more subconsciously.
“His process is more natural.
“He knows what club he wants and what shapes he needs to hit.
“He has better appreciation for the tournament as well.
“Some of the guys he’ll be up against are a good six, seven or more shots better than him on their day.
“The challenge for him will be putting two good rounds together.”
The Queensland PGA Championship tees off on Thursday, February 13 at City Golf Club.
The last two days of the tournament will be telecast live on Fox Sports.
BEN HAS REALLY GROWN AS A GOLFER OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS. MATT GUYATT – IKIN’S GOLF COACH