Yes, it is kind of weird that I am writing about Phil Mickelson at the beginning of what promises to be the greatest year in golf ever – Tiger is going to have a phenomenal year ! I predict that he will win all of the majors and win an incredible number of tournaments (I don’t see him losing for a long time :) - he will win this match play today – no disrespect to Cink fans!).
This may come as a shock to some of my friends who know me well (the good thing is that most of my friends aren’t going to read this :) ). Irrespective of all of the trash that I talk about Phil, I have always liked his game and I respect the way he has carried himself in the Shadow of Tiger Woods – DESPITE HOW THE MEDIA TRIES TO VILLIFY HIM. Before Tiger was “on the scene” (actually, avid golf fans knew who Tiger was years before he hit the PGA so he has been “on the scene” a lot longer than most folks realize), Phil was supposed to be “THE MAN.” In fact, when Phil won the Northern Telecom Open in 1990 as an amateur, expectations for his career shot through the roof.
And, I complain about playing the “if only” game (see 2/16/08 post ) – imagine being inside Phil’s head?
Sure, Phil might have won a lot more tournaments if Tiger decided to quit golf and become a jazz musician but would Phil have made as much money and would you watch him play every weekend? I have heard Phil acknowledge that most likely, the answer to both of those questions is NO! And, that is why I like Phil – He has been gracious in defeat (despite the countless misquotes) and he has acknowledged what Tiger brings to the game. I give Phil “props” because Tiger has overtly eclipsed his career more than any other guy on the PGA tour (Ernie Els’ countless second place finishes to Tiger notwithstanding) and I would at least UNDERSTAND if Phil was a “hater.” However, he is not.
Yes, Phil will try to prop himself up too – he will talk about his game improvements, equipment changes, and the fact that he feels like he can beat Tiger. And people get mad at him but WHAT ELSE IS HE SUPPOSED TO DO? He is a professional athlete for God’s sake!
So, for the record, I like Phil Mickelson. HOWEVER, I DO NOT LIKE WHAT I THINK MOTIVATES A LOT OF HIS FAN BASE… At first I wasn’t mad at the fact that people were rooting for Phil – I love a good match as much as anyone and I love the UNDERDOG. However, as time went by I started to feel something else underlying all of this support for Phil – an anti-Tiger sentiment! I find that curious because it almost feels like folks are looking for a GREAT WHITE HOPE in an ALL WHITE SPORT! The PGA tour hasn’t exactly become the WBO. Tiger is the only African American who you see on the tour and Tiger Woods is not Jack Johnson!
A great white hope in GOLF? Really?! Golf fans who don’t love Tiger Woods, should take a really long, hard look in the mirror. Now, relax, I am not calling you a racist – yet! And, no I am not lumping you into the same group of folks who I’ve heard say “goddamn Tiger Woods when they’ve seen people of color walk to the first tee (these guys usually don’t like women on the course either – JESUS, I hope none of them are democrats this year : ) ). And, no, I am not saying that you are same as the folks that assume that every African American golfer started playing after they saw Tiger Woods play – Sure, you are very aware that just because we weren’t allowed to play on many courses doesn’t mean that we weren’t playing (a lot of those black caddies could have won a lot of tournaments - more on the asterisks I want to put on sports records before the early 70’s later).
This is what I love about Tiger Woods. Let me say this, up front, I don’t know the guy but how many of us know the people we watch play sports every weekend? I get the feeling that I wouldn’t necessarily want to hang out with him (just like Michael Jordan – fun to watch but I’d hate to drive across country with him) as I get the sense that they have a hard time relaxing and having fun (egos and over- competitiveness probably get in the way). However, as a public figure and representative golf, YOU’VE TO LOVE TIGER WOODS.
Tiger is the consummate professional and carries himself like a gentleman – in victory or defeat. (Tiger brought back taking off your cap when shaking your opponent’s hand). Tiger works hard on his game and takes immaculate care of his body – he respects his sport/profession. Tiger NEVER QUITS! Tiger has thrilled all of us many times over the past 15 years (I bet you can think of an amazing shot, round, comeback, broken record, streak, etc. that Tiger has shared with us and you have shared with your friends on the course). Tiger has made golf cool (when we were kids, the non-athletic kids or country club kids played golf – the rest of us played to hang with our dads J ). Tiger made hanging with your dad cool for kids – his relationship with his late father made a lot of guys reflect on their own relationships with their own fathers or sons. Tiger is charitable as hell! Tiger is a winner!
Finally, Phil Mickelson could and would add pages to my list of reasons why you should love Tiger Woods (I heard Phil joke once that Tiger has made him rich). If you don’t like Tiger Woods, please ask yourself why? And, let me know what you come up with!?!
This may come as a shock to some of my friends who know me well (the good thing is that most of my friends aren’t going to read this :) ). Irrespective of all of the trash that I talk about Phil, I have always liked his game and I respect the way he has carried himself in the Shadow of Tiger Woods – DESPITE HOW THE MEDIA TRIES TO VILLIFY HIM. Before Tiger was “on the scene” (actually, avid golf fans knew who Tiger was years before he hit the PGA so he has been “on the scene” a lot longer than most folks realize), Phil was supposed to be “THE MAN.” In fact, when Phil won the Northern Telecom Open in 1990 as an amateur, expectations for his career shot through the roof.
And, I complain about playing the “if only” game (see 2/16/08 post ) – imagine being inside Phil’s head?
Sure, Phil might have won a lot more tournaments if Tiger decided to quit golf and become a jazz musician but would Phil have made as much money and would you watch him play every weekend? I have heard Phil acknowledge that most likely, the answer to both of those questions is NO! And, that is why I like Phil – He has been gracious in defeat (despite the countless misquotes) and he has acknowledged what Tiger brings to the game. I give Phil “props” because Tiger has overtly eclipsed his career more than any other guy on the PGA tour (Ernie Els’ countless second place finishes to Tiger notwithstanding) and I would at least UNDERSTAND if Phil was a “hater.” However, he is not.
Yes, Phil will try to prop himself up too – he will talk about his game improvements, equipment changes, and the fact that he feels like he can beat Tiger. And people get mad at him but WHAT ELSE IS HE SUPPOSED TO DO? He is a professional athlete for God’s sake!
So, for the record, I like Phil Mickelson. HOWEVER, I DO NOT LIKE WHAT I THINK MOTIVATES A LOT OF HIS FAN BASE… At first I wasn’t mad at the fact that people were rooting for Phil – I love a good match as much as anyone and I love the UNDERDOG. However, as time went by I started to feel something else underlying all of this support for Phil – an anti-Tiger sentiment! I find that curious because it almost feels like folks are looking for a GREAT WHITE HOPE in an ALL WHITE SPORT! The PGA tour hasn’t exactly become the WBO. Tiger is the only African American who you see on the tour and Tiger Woods is not Jack Johnson!
A great white hope in GOLF? Really?! Golf fans who don’t love Tiger Woods, should take a really long, hard look in the mirror. Now, relax, I am not calling you a racist – yet! And, no I am not lumping you into the same group of folks who I’ve heard say “goddamn Tiger Woods when they’ve seen people of color walk to the first tee (these guys usually don’t like women on the course either – JESUS, I hope none of them are democrats this year : ) ). And, no, I am not saying that you are same as the folks that assume that every African American golfer started playing after they saw Tiger Woods play – Sure, you are very aware that just because we weren’t allowed to play on many courses doesn’t mean that we weren’t playing (a lot of those black caddies could have won a lot of tournaments - more on the asterisks I want to put on sports records before the early 70’s later).
This is what I love about Tiger Woods. Let me say this, up front, I don’t know the guy but how many of us know the people we watch play sports every weekend? I get the feeling that I wouldn’t necessarily want to hang out with him (just like Michael Jordan – fun to watch but I’d hate to drive across country with him) as I get the sense that they have a hard time relaxing and having fun (egos and over- competitiveness probably get in the way). However, as a public figure and representative golf, YOU’VE TO LOVE TIGER WOODS.
Tiger is the consummate professional and carries himself like a gentleman – in victory or defeat. (Tiger brought back taking off your cap when shaking your opponent’s hand). Tiger works hard on his game and takes immaculate care of his body – he respects his sport/profession. Tiger NEVER QUITS! Tiger has thrilled all of us many times over the past 15 years (I bet you can think of an amazing shot, round, comeback, broken record, streak, etc. that Tiger has shared with us and you have shared with your friends on the course). Tiger has made golf cool (when we were kids, the non-athletic kids or country club kids played golf – the rest of us played to hang with our dads J ). Tiger made hanging with your dad cool for kids – his relationship with his late father made a lot of guys reflect on their own relationships with their own fathers or sons. Tiger is charitable as hell! Tiger is a winner!
Finally, Phil Mickelson could and would add pages to my list of reasons why you should love Tiger Woods (I heard Phil joke once that Tiger has made him rich). If you don’t like Tiger Woods, please ask yourself why? And, let me know what you come up with!?!
