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Chapter 8Go for the Albatross: Identifying big opportunities and finding the confidence to grab them

“If you're always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”

– Maya Angelou

We're starting this chapter in 1935, on the final day of the Augusta National Invitational golf tournament, which is now known as the Masters. Craig Wood, tournament leader, had finished his round three under par and was relaxing in the clubhouse, with what felt like a very comfortable lead.

Gene Sarazan heard the spectators cheer Wood's birdie on the final hole as he was teeing up for his shot on the 14th. At that point, he was three shots behind Wood. Walter Hagan, his playing partner, turned to him and said, “Well, Gene, that looks as if it's all over.” To which Sarazan replied, “Oh, I don't know, they might go in from anywhere.”

His prediction came true just one hole later. It was on the 15th hole, a par five, that Sarazen took what was later dubbed “the shot that was heard round the world.” He selected a No. 4 wood from his bag and carefully eyed the distance from the tee to the green. He knew he was going for the shot in two. His first shot put him opposite the green, with a small pond and a distance of 235 yards separating him from the hole.

Sarazen took one final look, breathed in, and hit the ball, which sailed across the pond, rolling neatly onto the green and down into the cup. A stunned silence was followed by cheers from the few spectators still watching. He had ...