Why the ‘C word’ just sticks in the throat

IT’S becoming increasingly difficult to leave the word “choke” out of the sporting lexicon these days.

We had a graphic example of its literal interpretation in the aftermath of Saturday’s rugby match. In its broadest meaning, it’s a term that originated to describe those unfortunate enough to have succumbed under pressure and has become an almost everyday part of golfing terminology.

Most sports lend themselves to “choking” but it seems appropriate in golf more than any other, with regular demonstrations of players failing to cope under pressure. Heath Slocum became the most recent example in the PODS Championship in the US on Sunday night.