Not every win needs a birdie blitz. Michael Brennan won the Baycurrent Classic at Yokohama Country Club on Sunday 11 October by doing something that sounds simple and is anything but: he parred his final six holes.
What happened in Yokohama
According to the Associated Press report on the PGA Tour site, Brennan started the day tied for the lead. He bogeyed the 10th, bounced back with birdies on the 11th and 12th, then parred his way home for a 3-under 68 and a one-shot win at 16 under.
His best par save came on the par-3 16th, where he played a long bunker shot to a foot. Jacob Bridgeman and Keith Mitchell tied for second. ESPN’s AP report noted that Bridgeman slid a 5-foot birdie putt past on the 17th, while defending champion Xander Schauffele went to the 18th one back and closed with a double bogey.
It was Brennan’s second win of the season, after the Wyndham Championship in August, and his third PGA Tour title in just 33 starts. He’s 24.
What Brennan said about nerves
Two quotes stood out to us. First, his honesty about the bogey on 10: “I was frustrated after 10, probably could have handled it a little bit better.” Second, on handling pressure: “I just think you can get more comfortable in those situations. I was very nervous today, especially coming down the stretch.”
A three-time winner at 24, admitting he was very nervous. That’s worth remembering the next time your hands shake on the first tee.
Why steady golf wins
Pars are underrated
At club level, the scorecard is usually ruined by doubles and worse, not by a lack of birdies. Brennan’s finish is a perfect model: avoid the big number, and let others make the mistakes. Mitchell, for example, played a five-hole stretch in 5 under, but then played his final 10 holes in 2 over, according to the AP report.
Rhythm is what makes pars repeatable
A steady par run depends on repeatable contact. And repeatable contact depends on a swing that doesn’t change when the pressure rises. That means a consistent tempo, a steady head and a lower body that turns instead of sliding.
Getting comfortable is a skill
Brennan’s point that you “can get more comfortable in those situations” is important. Comfort under pressure comes from familiarity. You can’t recreate a final round in Japan, but you can practise in a way that makes your swing feel familiar when it matters.
Don’t rush the reset after a bogey
Brennan’s bogey on the 10th came from a chip he said he “should have” hit better. What followed was the important part: two birdies straight away. For club golfers, the swing after a mistake is often the quickest of the day, because frustration speeds up the backswing. Before your next shot, take an extra breath, make one rehearsal swing at your normal rhythm, and only then step in. It feels slow. It isn’t, and it stops one dropped shot turning into three.
How to practise “six pars”
Here’s a simple game we like for the range or a quiet course:
The six-par challenge
- Choose six imaginary holes with a tee shot and an approach each.
- For every hole, hit your tee shot and approach with a full routine.
- Score a “par” if both shots finish in a target zone you set before you start.
- Any miss starts the challenge again from hole one.
It’s surprisingly demanding, and it rewards consistency over brilliance.
Track what changes under pressure
As the challenge gets closer to six, notice whether your tempo quickens or your head starts to move. DE-SHANK makes this easy: say “record” before each shot and you’ll get scores for tempo, head movement, hip sway and posture change, with a voice coach talking you through each swing. Find out more about how it works, including the best camera position (face-on works best for now).
DE-SHANK gives estimates from one camera view. It’s designed for practice feedback, to help you spot habits and track trends.
Our take
Brennan’s win wasn’t about fireworks. It was about avoiding mistakes, staying patient after a bogey and trusting his swing down the stretch. For club golfers, that’s the most relatable kind of tour win there is.
More news is in our Golf News section.
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