by Johnny Carey
CG Staff
Phil Mickelson just captured the fifth major of his career, putting him in a tie for 14th on the all-time major List and just a U.S Open title short of the career grand slam — something that has only been accomplished by legends: Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen and Gary Player. (For those wondering, Bobby Jones, while the founder of The Masters, retired from competitive golf four years before the first tournament at Augusta National. While he did return to play in the event several times, he never placed higher than 13th.)
Phil Mickelson is one of the greatest Tour players of this generation, and as a golfer who grew up aspiring to be a professional during Phil’s greatest years on Tour, it is truly a privilege to speak on behalf of Cascade Golfer about the devotion Phil inspires in his biggest fans.
Watching Phil over the years, I have always loved his continuous “go for it” mentality. Whether it’s always taking driver off the tee, never laying up on par-5s, or of course, his ridiculous flop shots, the 42-time PGA Tour winner has never backed down from putting on a show. While all of these acts of “entertainment” that Lefty has given us over the years have won him many fans, the fact is that, unlike similar “throw-caution-to-the-wind fan favorite” John Daly, most of these daring shots have actually paid off.
Of course, there have been many other times when Phil’s high-risk plays have found a bunker or a hazard instead of the green — and, in fact, it’s those moments when I believe Phil is at his best.
Phil Mickelson, in my mind, shows more humility than any golfer on the PGA Tour. In my teen years, after I had a bad round and would come home in a funk (which I did regularly) my mother would tell me to act more like Phil, and less like Tiger — the latter of whom had inspired my interest in golf in the first place. She said that true gentlemen are ones who never lose their composure, and Phil rarely does. I am not here to dis on Tiger Woods, but am clearly saying that when it comes to having a role model in golf — someone who doesn’t lose their temper, throw clubs or lose their smile even when things aren’t going their way — Phil Mickelson ranks right up with legendary gentleman Tom Watson as perhaps the best picks you could make.
There’s plenty to love about Lefty — his wicked-long backswing, his immense power, and his beautiful short game. But, what most people should take from Lefty’s game — and what has truly fueled the fervent support and passion that he’s inspired in fans around the world — is the world-class attitude that he brings to the golf course … whether letting yet another U.S. Open slip from his grasp on a frustrating Sunday afternoon, or completing one of the most remarkable final rounds in Open history to put his name on the Claret Jug.
Besides, aren’t attitude, humility, and goodwill what the game of golf is all about?
