That’s an odd thing to say about a score of 76 but if you believe golf is more journey than destination then numbers don’t always tell the full story and what Warren showed is something that will hold him in good stead for years to come.

As weekend players we’re often told there is a lot to learn from watching the pros, but it can be hard to see sometimes given the modern touring professional looks like a purpose built athlete most of us couldn’t imitate physically if we had 20 years to work on it.

But what Warren exhibited so well in Sunday’s final round at 13th Beach requires no physical effort at all and is something even the most physically limited golfer can emulate.

The lesson is about attitude and if you watch a lot of professional golf and know what to look for, it is something you will see much more commonly in elite players than us weekend duffers.

Attitude won’t help you hit longer drives or better irons but it is at least as important in a golfer’s arsenal as swing fundamentals. In fact, in terms of scoring it might actually be more so.

"So take a leaf out of Justin Warren’s book next time you play. The mental strength he displayed at 13th Beach is one of the main reasons he is a player worth watching ..." - Rod Morri.

Warren is a promising young player from NSW who has been a familiar presence on local leaderboards the past couple of years.

He has all the physical attributes to advance to one of the world’s major tours and has had close calls in that department already.

So imagine how he felt when he was seven-over for nine holes when playing in the final group Sunday, having started the round just three shots from the lead.

From believing he had a genuine chance to win it must have been devastating to find himself 10 shots off the pace and no chance with nine holes to go.

Which makes what Warren did on the back nine so impressive and why, despite signing for a 76, it was one of the best rounds of the day (and signals a bright future for the 27-year-old).

Having written ‘43’ in the box for his front nine total the Picton product produced three birdies against no bogeys for a 33 on the back, the equal best back nine score among the top-10 finishers.

Many reading this might be inclined to say ‘so what’ since it is what we expect professional golfers to do but flip your thoughts to your own game for a moment and consider times when you have been in a similar situation.

Most of us – if we’re being honest – would admit that we likely would have (and probably have at various times) given up.

There is no shortage of books about the mental side of golf and in terms of improving scores it might be the lowest hanging fruit for most recreational players.

Frustration and poor decision making from letting emotions get the better of us on the course likely costs more shots for handicap players than any slice or poor putting stroke.

So take a leaf out of Justin Warren’s book next time you play. The mental strength he displayed at 13th Beach is one of the main reasons he is a player worth watching because it is the part of the game that separates golfers at the elite level.

It is also a part of the game that every one of us weekend players could improve on with just a modicum of discipline and thought.

Next time you make the turn way behind your handicap perhaps remember what Justin Warren did at 13th Beach and use it to reset mentally.

There is literally nothing to lose.