Golfer Ryan McCormick Silences Anger with Tape: A Unique Approach to Mental Discipline on the Korn Ferry Tour

Ryan McCormick’s Unconventional Anger Management Tactic

Professional golfer Ryan McCormick, currently competing on the Korn Ferry Tour, took an extraordinary step to curb his frustration during the Club Car Championship. In an attempt to control his emotions, McCormick covered his mouth with clear tape mid-round. The move, captured in a viral video by the Korn Ferry Tour, quickly became a talking point in the golf community.

The Story Behind the Tape

McCormick, who struggled with consistency and missed the cut after rounds of 73 and 72, revealed that his frustration had been affecting his game.

"Been having not-so-fun times this year on the golf course. Pretty angry and mad," he admitted after his round. "I’ve tried a lot of things, and I just figured I’d shut myself up. So I put tape over my mouth."

His unconventional method was also motivated by a desire to avoid negatively impacting his playing partners. "I don’t want to create an experience for my playing partners that's not fair… Having a tough time, and that was my solution today," he explained.

A Deeper Look at Mental Discipline in Golf

Golf is as much a mental challenge as a physical one, and McCormick’s approach highlights the extremes players go to maintain focus. After spending 2024 on the PGA Tour, McCormick returned to the Korn Ferry Tour but has struggled to regain form, making only three cuts in six starts.

"I’ve run out of ideas... I thought about the tape thing a couple of weeks ago," McCormick acknowledged. His experiment, though unusual, underscores the lengths athletes go to find an edge—even if it means mimicking Batman’s villain, Bane ("I felt like Bane, muzzle myself").

Fan and Expert Reactions

The golf world had mixed reactions—some praised his creativity, while others questioned whether such measures could actually improve performance. Still, it’s a reminder of the intense pressures professional golfers face, especially when results aren’t aligning with effort.

Could this be a turning point for McCormick, or just another footnote in a challenging season? Only time will tell.