Stop hating on Phil. . .

Jason Sobel, who I will be interviewing tomorrow, blogged yesterday about the potential Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson rivalry which may unfold this year:

"That leaves Mickelson, one of the most accomplished players in the game's history who often receives criticism simply for the fact that he isn't Tiger Woods. At his best, though, Lefty can hang with his adversary on any given Sunday, as evidenced by victories at the Tour Championship two months ago and the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament this past weekend in China."


"He has now finished off the 2009 campaign playing his best golf since winning back-to-back titles at the BellSouth Classic and Masters three-and-a-half years ago, if not the best golf of his career. Thanks to assistance with the forward-press putting stroke from two-time major winner Dave Stockton, Mickelson is rolling his rock with the utmost confidence -- something he can only hope remains during the offseason."


Though many are quick to criticize Mickelson, he truly has been Tiger's most formidable opponent throughout the last decade. While he's battled inconsistency, off-the-course circumstances, and a seeming reputation as one who folds under pressure, he continues to prove his mastery at times.


But, there are a few certainties about Mickelson which the golfing community fails to fully acknowledge:


1) Mickelson is every bit as physically talented as any one to have ever played the game. (Here, Here, or Here). He has an uncanny sense for trickery and short-game mastery -- although, interestingly, his technique is noticeably different to that of Woods (Tiger v. Phil).


2) Mickelson's golf career has been filled with as much success as almost anyone in history. 


College/Amateur - (won 16 college events, 1990 Porter Cup, 4-time first-team All American, 3 NCAA Individual Champions, 3 Haskins  Awards, 1990 US Amateur, Won 1991 PGA Tour event as an amateur)


Professional (45 wins, 3 majors)


3) His game is better today than it ever has been. . . 


A few years ago I spoke with a friend and former teammate of Mickelson's at Arizona State. Ironically, we had dinner the night that Mickelson lost the U.S. Open at Winged Foot.


**Phil's 18th debacle starts at the 3:30 mark.

Phil's former teammate spoke of how even in college Phil had tendencies to play overly brash at the end of competition. My favorite anectode from the night concerned Phil's idea of shaping shots. When trying to either draw or fade a ball, the major focus needs to be in three regards: one) what line does the shot need to start on, two) what line do I want the ball to end up curving to, and three) is it more essential to start the ball on line and over/under curve the shot (say, when trying to curve it out of trees and you want to make certain that you don't hit a tree) or to make certain that the shot curves in its intended direction (say, when curving the ball away from a hazard).


Phil, as evident in the 18th hole at Winged Foot (and, truthfully, throughout his career) has struggled with this at times, perhaps focusing too much on executing the "perfect shot."


As a junior golfer, I was fortunate to attend a banquet for the 2004 U.S. Open which featured Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson, and was hosted by Jim Nantz (I blogged about it last month). While in the audience, I was offered an opportunity to ask Phil and Mr. Palmer a question. I asked them to comment on their shared aggressive playing style -- this was during the time that Tiger was battling off the tee (not that he still doesn't at times) and was playing with unbelievable conservatism. Phil made a joke, and Palmer told a wonderful story. Obviously, I find ways to tell that story often -- but I'm always certain to include that Phil was a true gentleman. I attended the banquet because Rolex, who hosted it, had invited the top juniors from the area (AJGA members). Phil, who has the most decorated AJGA career in history, spoke directly to a group of us candidly and sincerely -- he told us how he had never believed that he would accomplish all that he had and that one of us would one day play against him on Tour.


As someone with a vested intrinsic interest in Tiger Wood's history breaking career, at times I want Phil to come into his own for no purpose other than providing Tiger with that single formidable opponent which some overzealous commentators seem to use as a condemnation of Tiger's greatness.


Look forward to this PGA season. Tiger is going to be better this year than he ever has before, as will Phil, there's a generation of young players who are blossoming, and there's the old guard that isn't ready to go silently into the night.


-Michael


P.S. Check out Geoff Shackelford's excellent post on Tiger Woods and his golf course design business.
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