Giving Thanks

Accuse me of sentimentality. Accuse me of caving into cliche. But today simply demands at least a small pause to give thanks.

First, I’m thankful for a wonderful family, a warm house, dear friends, and a 60-degree wedge that allows me to do some magical things around the greens.

Second, I’m thankful that Phil Mickelson won the Master’s, and the press was forced to relieve him of the label “Best Player to Never Win a Major.” I had the distinct pleasure of riding around the course with Phil during a made-for-TV event a few years ago–just him and me, and I had promised not to write a word about our conversation. I can honestly say from that experience that he deserves every bit of the good ink he gets, and almost none of the bad.

Third, I’m thankful that Tiger married Elin. Now the press can label Shigeki Maruyama as “Player with Best Smile Never to have Bagged a Swedish Bikini Model” (at least, not that we know of…).

Fourth, I’m thankful that the miserable hook I developed last year has gone away (mostly).

Fifth, I’m thankful for the millions of my faithful readers out there. (OK, the half-dozen or so, anyway.)

And I wish all six of you a very happy Thanksgiving.