Nov
04
Phil Mickelson's mystery Tour Championship bailout beneath Lefty
I don’t care if Phil Mickelson wanted to take his kids out trick-or-treating as some writers reported and Mickelson’s agent just as quickly denied. I don’t care if he believes that the Tour Championship is about as big time as a bocce ball tournament (looking at the TV ratings you’d have to think that most casual golf fans agree with that). I don’t care if he’s waging his own one-man protest slash hissy fit. I don’t care if he’s using this weekend to research this year’s version of his Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl bet.
And I don’t think any golf fans would begrudge Lefty of any of those pastimes. Just don’t make yourself the most annoying kind of sports snob. That’s what Mickelson did with his weak “personal reasons” excuse for missing this weekend’s Tour Championship.
No one needs Mickelson playing Greta Garbo. You’re Phil Mickelson, remember. The guy who’s made plenty of extra millions playing the millionaire man of the people. Just let everyone know what you’re doing - heck talk about raking the leaves - and get it over with.
Now Phil Mickeslon wants to play coy. Just when you thought Lefty was over with being annoying …
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24 comments
Comment from: jim robertson [Visitor]
if phil doesn't want to play why should you care?
tiger skips a lot of tournaments, as do many others, and the sponsors care but the tour survives quite well it seems.
celebrate bryant's 62 with many who know him here in orlando. what a great start for a fine gentleman.
who will remember this time next year that phil didn't play?
did dimarco play in tampa or go to the largest outdoor cocktail party;his choice and his right to decide and good for him.
get over it.
tiger skips a lot of tournaments, as do many others, and the sponsors care but the tour survives quite well it seems.
celebrate bryant's 62 with many who know him here in orlando. what a great start for a fine gentleman.
who will remember this time next year that phil didn't play?
did dimarco play in tampa or go to the largest outdoor cocktail party;his choice and his right to decide and good for him.
get over it.
2005-11-04 @ 08:49
This was an article? Did I miss something? Where's the ending?
2005-11-04 @ 16:38
Comment from: K Douglas [Visitor]
The real question is why do you care enough to write about his missing this tourney. You must be unable to find anything else to write about.
Just when you thought Chris Baldwin was over with being annoying ...
Just when you thought Chris Baldwin was over with being annoying ...
2005-11-04 @ 19:05
Comment from: mark [Visitor]
k douglas
He's just trying to start something controversial again for people to respond to his blog. Oh and how bright he must be feeling after he made all those comments about Goosen. LOL. In your face Baldwin
He's just trying to start something controversial again for people to respond to his blog. Oh and how bright he must be feeling after he made all those comments about Goosen. LOL. In your face Baldwin
2005-11-05 @ 06:31
Comment from: LCL [Visitor]
There are role models in various sports and they provide inspiration to millions of kids and athletes around the world, Mickelson is just not one of those people. I think all this criticism he justly deserves is due to our perception of what we think he should be-remember he is not Arnold Palmer or Tiger Woods-most lkely never will be.
2005-11-05 @ 07:24
Comment from: betty [Visitor]
I love watching Phil play--his smile and friendliness, but also his frustration when he goofs. There's just something about him that makes a grandmother like me wish him well.
2005-11-05 @ 14:29
Comment from: Pete Jackson [Visitor]
The real reason Phil skipped this tournament was because his wife was cheating on him while he was on the road. He stayed home because he found out about it.
2005-11-05 @ 21:38
Comment from: shrodr [Visitor]
"The real reason Phil skipped this tournament was because his wife was cheating on him while he was on the road. He stayed home because he found out about it."
There's a comment that could actually make Chris look intelligent in comparison.
There's a comment that could actually make Chris look intelligent in comparison.
2005-11-06 @ 13:38
Comment from: John J. Fonzo [Visitor]
Stop crying, it's Phil's right to play or not to play. Suck it up and get on with managing your own life. I'd like to see that result!!!
2005-11-06 @ 22:34
Comment from: Johnny [Visitor]
Hmm, Tiger seems to have mucked up his chance. He should've won the tournament, but let some unknown bloke beat him.
What's with Tiger?
What's with Tiger?
2005-11-07 @ 16:37
Comment from: John Sterling [Visitor]
Nothing annoys me more than supposedly informed people referring to The British Open - there is no such event or ever will be - the event is known as The Open - I know my American cousins can't stand the idea that anything could exist that did not require further discription or be older than your own superb event but the fact is it's THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP and if anyone knows anything about golf, they will know in which country it's held!
2005-11-08 @ 10:49
Comment from: Brendan [Visitor]
"I know my American cousins can't stand the idea that anything could exist that did not require further discription..."
Kind of like me describing John Sterling as a "British A-hole"...
Sorry,I couldn't resist the urge to add a "further description" to an otherwise ordianary A**hole.
Kind of like me describing John Sterling as a "British A-hole"...
Sorry,I couldn't resist the urge to add a "further description" to an otherwise ordianary A**hole.
2005-11-08 @ 14:18
Comment from: Denver Player [Visitor]
Chris,
Phil plays more tournaments than Woods, gives his own $$ to support charities, and expresses loyalty to fans that support his vocation. And you call him "annoying"?
He's on the road at least 1/2 of the year, year in, year out. His kids only grow up once. I travel frequently, but not as much as him, and it is tough. What's the problem in wanting to be with his family once in a while? Who are you to question his appearance, or lack thereof, at any tournament?
I guess you have never taken a personal day in your life, huh?
Phil plays more tournaments than Woods, gives his own $$ to support charities, and expresses loyalty to fans that support his vocation. And you call him "annoying"?
He's on the road at least 1/2 of the year, year in, year out. His kids only grow up once. I travel frequently, but not as much as him, and it is tough. What's the problem in wanting to be with his family once in a while? Who are you to question his appearance, or lack thereof, at any tournament?
I guess you have never taken a personal day in your life, huh?
2005-11-08 @ 18:17
Comment from: Denver Player [Visitor]
John,
While I maintain all due reverence for "The Open Championship" and its history, we have the right to call it whatever the hell we want. We earned it when we parted company and won our independence two centuries ago, and solidified that claim when Arnold Palmer saved it from losing its prominence.
While I maintain all due reverence for "The Open Championship" and its history, we have the right to call it whatever the hell we want. We earned it when we parted company and won our independence two centuries ago, and solidified that claim when Arnold Palmer saved it from losing its prominence.
2005-11-08 @ 18:35
Denver Player, it's not about Phil Mickelson skipping the Tour Championship. No one would begrudge him that.
It's about the phony way he went about it. Say you're protesting pro ams. Say you want to take your kids out for Halloween. Just say something. Don't make everyone guess at your motives.
This is Phil Mickelson, the guy who's made plenty of extra money by advancing his image as an upfront man of the people.
It's about the phony way he went about it. Say you're protesting pro ams. Say you want to take your kids out for Halloween. Just say something. Don't make everyone guess at your motives.
This is Phil Mickelson, the guy who's made plenty of extra money by advancing his image as an upfront man of the people.
2005-11-08 @ 22:41
Comment from: shrodr [Visitor]
OMG....Phil's not playing in one god damn tournament and won't tell us why....there goes his whole reputation.....please Chris, try to come up with a real topic. This is sad even for you.
2005-11-09 @ 08:34
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]
John, If someone here in the US says anything about "The Open", most folks here in the US will assume they mean our national championship, because naturally it is more popular here in the US than The Open Championship. And to be honest, it seems to me that the US Open is viewed by most over here as slightly more significant too. Not me personally. I've been to the UK, played a lot of links golf and fully appreciate the fantastic challenge it presents. So do all of the top US golfers, except for the occasional whiner like Scott Hoch.
2005-11-09 @ 08:53
Comment from: Denver Player [Visitor]
Chris,
Point is, Phil doesn't owe anyone anything, least of all an explanation beyond "personal reasons."
And as far as Phil "advancing his image", I think you perceive Phil in a very cynical light. Which is your right as an individual, but calls into question your objectivity as a writer.
Point is, Phil doesn't owe anyone anything, least of all an explanation beyond "personal reasons."
And as far as Phil "advancing his image", I think you perceive Phil in a very cynical light. Which is your right as an individual, but calls into question your objectivity as a writer.
2005-11-09 @ 17:25
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]
I think Phil has got it right. The Majors are where it's at. The team competitions are different and also awesome. I'm sure he wouldn't want to miss those. But nothing else is a MUST play. If he had a shot at the money title, I'm sure he would've been there. But otherwise, what's the big deal? It's just another tournament.
2005-11-10 @ 12:40
Comment from: Norman [Visitor]
I think the world golf tournaments are pretty important too. They are to Tiger anyway.
Then you go down the list to tournaments like a the player's championship, and end of season championships for both the PGA and european pga tours.
For instance, Paul McGinley won the Volvo Masters and said he was delighted because it is such a big tournament, which is true for him, but maybe not true for Tiger.
Then you go down the list to tournaments like a the player's championship, and end of season championships for both the PGA and european pga tours.
For instance, Paul McGinley won the Volvo Masters and said he was delighted because it is such a big tournament, which is true for him, but maybe not true for Tiger.
2005-11-11 @ 13:44
Comment from: Bob Kochman [Visitor]
The reason he didn't play is that he didn't want to play in the pro-am on Tuesday, which is mandatory - you don't play on Tuesday, you don't get a spot in the tournament. Phil didn't want to spend a week away from home in San Deigo. If he still had a chance to win player of the year or the money title, he would have been there.
2005-11-13 @ 14:18
Comment from: Mitch [Visitor]
Phil is entitled to do what he wants, however, he is a member of the PGA Tour and I think the season ending Tour championship is something that everyone that qualifies should play in. I know it's not the same, but can you imagine if a player didn't want to play in the World Series or Super Bowl, just because they planned a family vacation during those dates.
2005-11-16 @ 11:58
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]
Mitch, you don't really think the Tour championship is about anything other than money, do you? It's a contrived ending to the season. A more appropriate comparison to a player skipping the World Series or Super Bowl would be for a player to skip one of the 4 Majors to go on a vacation. These are equivalent championships.
2005-11-17 @ 07:58
Comment from: Mitch [Visitor]
I agree that it is a contrived championship, but so is the Players Championship. Let's face it, all the regular PGA tournaments are about money. Each week has a lead sponsor and a bunch of sub-sponsors that want to showcase their coroporate image to the local folks and to a national audience. It's all about tv ratings, and the higher the ratings the higher the ad revenue that is generated, and the more money that's available to the players as prize money. The players are in it for the MONEY. I think the least they can do is play in a "TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP" for a lot of money, to help the PGA tour put on a season ending finale. This championship has produced big name winners like Tiger, Vijay, Phil and Retief, but it's also had winners like Bart Bryant, Chad Campbell and Billy Mayfair. I think it's great when someone that isn't recognized as one of the best in the world, can win against the top players on the PGA tour.
2005-11-22 @ 10:51
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