Lynn Kenny has turned to hypnotherapy in an effort to climb the rankings of the Ladies' European Tour that stops off in Scotland, at the Carrick on Loch Lomond, this week.
The 27-year-old from Dunblane was already feeling the benefit when she finished joint top Scot,in fifth place, in the Ladies' Scottish Open that was resurrected in September after an absence of 11 years, and over the winter she has stepped up the mind games to help prevent her becoming stressed in the heat of battle.
Another test of truth is in store for the Archerfield Links-attached player starting tomorrow in the £157,000 Aberdeen Asset Management-sponsored, 54-hole tournament.
"I was pretty sceptical to begin with but three weeks after my first session, I had a top-10 finish in France," said the former Scottish women's amateur champion. "I used to get uptight and anxious during tournaments, and although I was embarrassed initially, I am now feeling a lot better. It might have a placebo effect."
Kenny went to hypnotherapist Jane Brindley in Dollar having heard she had helped a friend give up smoking, and thinking that the same principles might be a calming influence on the fairways following a fraught second year on tour after which she needed to go back to tour school.
"It's not like Paul McKenna showmanship," she assured. "I close my eyes and feel every limb becoming heavy. I am aware at the time of what is happening. I hear Jane's words, but it is like a dream. When I wake up I can't remember."
One thing that is vividly etched on her mind is her finish at the Carrick last year, when she stormed through the field with a two-under-par 69, closing with a glorious 8-iron shot to within a foot of the flagstick to finish tied fifth alongside Janice Moodie. More importantly, that precision shot lifted her 16 places on the order of merit, to No.78, and saved her another visit to tour school.
More conventional coaching from Steven Rosie is concentrated on improving her putting. She is currently No.35 after a steady start to the 2008 season, and with positive memories from last year, will be out to consolidate her place in front of home galleries this week.
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