Phil Mickelson: How to lead a balanced life

It’s a good thing golf is an individual sport, because Phil Mickelson would be a lousy teammate. Ryder Cup fans already know this, of course, but just imagine Lefty suiting up for Bill Belichick this week.

Mickelson: I’m going to have to miss week six, coach. Amy could have the baby that week.
Belichick: Another baby!? Is that really necessary?
Mickelson: Oh, and then I’ll have to miss a few games late in the year. I’ve got some charity commitments, some paid appearances, and then I thought I’d try out for the Toledo Mud Hens again.
Belichick: Why don’t you just tell me when you will be here?

It’s fitting that Mickelson’s such a huge NFL fan since following his career is about as frustrating as rooting for the Cincinnati Bengals. Seemingly every breakthrough moment is accompanied by two head-scratching moves. Just when you think Mickelson has turned the corner (see Masters, 2004), he reverts to his old ways, shining brightest at the most meaningless times.

Then just when you’re finally ready to write him off, he does something genuine like funding last Saturday’s shopping spree for 1,000 needy children in San Diego. Thanks to the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation, each child was able to grab $200 worth of clothes and shoes, plus a backpack filled with school supplies. What made it special isn’t the donation (about $200,000), but that Phil and Amy actually participated.

It’s easy to write a check, especially when you’ve just made an easy money-grab up in Rancho Santa Fe. It’s quite another thing when you see the Mickelsons greeting dozens of buses at the Wal-Mart front door.

("PGA Tour pro visits Wal-Mart.” There’s a headline you’ll never see again.)

Mickelson has consistently talked about leading a balanced life, and he’s always acted accordingly. Perhaps it’s just time to accept that Mickelson is never going to be Vijay, hitting balls on the range 24/7, 364 days of the year (we assume even Vijay takes one day off). He’s never going to put Player of the Year honors above being a good father. And he’s never going to win as many majors as we all think he should. It’s taken a few years, but I’m okay with it now. Sports already has enough narrow-minded, career-obsessed athletes; what we need is a few more with Mickelson’s perspective.