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Golf-Acceptance the key at U.S Open, says sports psychiatrist

The key to survival for players tackling the longest U.S. Open course ever at Torrey Pines next week is to be mentally disciplined and prepared for setbacks, says a renowned physician and sports psychiatrist.

Dr. Michael Lardon, who has dedicated his career to helping elite athletes understand and more easily achieve peak performance, has advised his players to use this strategy to cope with the demands at the year's second major championship.

U.S. Open layouts traditionally feature tight fairways, thick if graduated rough and slick greens. Regulation pars, rather than birdies, are often the most prized commodity.

"With the U.S. Open, you have to have a different expectation coming in," Lardon told Reuters.

"You have to realise you are going to hit beautiful shots that will run through the fairway, perhaps just two inches in, and you won't see the top of the ball in the rough.

"You have to say to yourself: 'This is the U.S. Open and it's the same challenge for all the different players.' They have to understand this is the nature of it.

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