The Best Excuse Phil Mickelson Could Use For His Absence From The Tour Championship

**dipgolf** · October 30, 2005

As you have hopefully read, Phil has decided to not play in next week's Tour Championship . It was vaguely cited that he made a personal, private decision to not play.

What do you think would have been a better excuse?

I would have gone with the standard "The dog ate my clubs/plane ticket/competitiveness" excuse. Or maybe he has to pack his kids' lunches next week because the school is serving disgusting sloppy joes.

***iacas*** · October 30, 2005

He has a good feeling about the football games taking place that weekend, and really wants to see his bets pay off in person instead of being stuck on a golf course finishing T28 in a 30-man field.

I think it's lame, and exposes just a little bit of the phoniness Phil's got. He doesn't enjoy playing against Tiger and the other top-tier players because they routinely eat his lunch unless he's playing ultra-hot. Phil isn't a grinder. And giving back to the fans? The Tour Championship is a little bit of a give-back, a little bit of a made-for-TV event that fans can appreciate, seeing the top-tier guys battle it out. Phil to the fans this time? The middle finger.

**DBake** · October 30, 2005

I tend to compare sporting events to one another and I consider the Tour Championship as the same as the All-Star game for major leaguers. All the top-tier guys for that year play in this certain event, and I do believe it is not their choice to play in the event but it is their duty to play in this event. For example, the Major League Baseball All-Star game which ended in a tie a few years ago ended up changing the rules to whatever league wins gets World Series home field advantage. By doing this it eliminated players from not showing up and only playing a selected few ings, and now the MLB All-Star game is back to were it once was, giving back to the fans. Sure, Phil said it was personal reason for not attending the upcoming event, maybe be true, it may not. I believe all players who qualify should play for the fans, other wise "These Guys Wouldn't Be Rich."

**DBake** · November 5, 2005

...I consider the Tour Championship as the same as the All-Star game for major leaguers. All the top-tier guys for that year play in this certain event, and I do believe it is not their choice to play in the event but it is their duty to play in this event..."

Glad to hear that my comments were used on the second podcast! Keep up the good work guys, loving it!

**muskegman** · November 5, 2005

Your comment stuck in my mind... we should have given you credit... but here it is! Thanks DBake and I'm glad you're enjoying the podcast.

**DBake** · November 5, 2005

I wasn't looking for credit, but thanks any ways, you guys doing a great job on their!

**flap** · November 9, 2005

Just wondering,Any of you hero's ever take a day off from work just cause you don't want to go or need a mental day off? Yeah I know I'm a Phill fan but jeez stop all the nit picking he has a life away from golf accept it for christ sake.

***iacas*** · November 9, 2005

Just wondering,Any of you hero's ever take a day off from work just cause you don't want to go or need a mental day off? Yeah I know I'm a Phill fan but jeez stop all the nit picking he has a life away from golf accept it for christ sake.

Despite the whole "independent contractor" thing, the fans are effectively Phil's boss, so I think we're well within our rights to say "hey, what the heck?"

And, as noted in the Podcast and the live coverage , even Tim Finchem was "very disappointed" in Phil's decision not to appear. That the guy is such a fake only adds to my displeasure with his "personal, private reasons." He couldn't even be honest and just say "I promised my kids I'd take them trick-or-treating" (if that was, in fact, the reason).

**Rafcin** · November 9, 2005

hm.. am I missing something? When I take a day off work and my co-workers are asking "why did you take the day off?" - I'm simply saying - it's none of your f'ing business... Why is there so much made out of people not playing in a tournament? Phil is doing this for years, that's his schedule and I don't think he needs excuses (good or bad). Let them be. Nobody is questioning Tiger why he played only 21 events this year... oh wait - it's EXACTLY the same number of events, that Phil played ?!?

***iacas*** · November 9, 2005

hm.. am I missing something? When I take a day off work and my co-workers are asking "why did you take the day off?" - I'm simply saying - it's none of your f'ing business... Why is there so much made out of people not playing in a tournament? Phil is doing this for years, that's his schedule and I don't think he needs excuses (good or bad). Let them be. Nobody is questioning Tiger why he played only 21 events this year... oh wait - it's EXACTLY the same number of events, that Phil played ?!?

I don't care about a normal event - obviously players don't attend those all the time. Even Vijay Singh misses a few of those!

I think opting out of the Tour Championship is second only to opting out of a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup. And as others have said, it's like the All Star game with even more emphasis on the individual.

**Baynative** · November 13, 2005

I've noticed that no one complains when Tiger skips the AT&T; because he doesn't like Poa greens, or the Buick even though they give him millions. -just a thought.

***iacas*** · November 13, 2005

I've noticed that no one complains when Tiger skips the AT&T; because he doesn't like Poa greens, or the Buick even though they give him millions. -just a thought.

That's not the same. Not by a long shot.

**Leftie_power** · November 13, 2005

Phil has also said he won't be playing in the mercedes championship at the start of next season, Is it just me or is phil scared of the rest of the big 5 ???

***iacas*** · November 13, 2005

Phil has also said he won't be playing in the mercedes championship at the start of next season, Is it just me or is phil scared of the rest of the big 5 ???

That's what it seems like sometimes.

I thought he was going to play in it this year, something he doesn't normally do? I thought I heard that somewhere...

**Baynative** · November 14, 2005

"Is it just me or is phil scared of the rest of the big 5 ???"

If he is, his competitive career is done. It's hard to get over over a phobia like that. Maybe it's a post major let down.

**muskegman** · November 14, 2005

I was pretty hard on Mickelson in the podcast this week, but I think it may come down to something as simple as wanting to enjoy his family. He's got a unique job, making money playing one of the greatest games around and he might just want to kick back and enjoy that $ and his family.

Granted, I've heard he's not too popular with his PGA Tour peers for whatever reason and he comes across as plastic. Maybe its not fear or the competition or selfishness... could be plain old enjoyment of life. I've been guilty of being hard on him, particularly for copping out on the Tour Championship and I think he deserves a good ribbing for opting out of that event.

I thought he came across as pretty relaxed at the PGA, which he won. His flop-shot to tap in proved to me that he was in control of his emotions. He didn't crumble because the other "big 4 (or was it just three)" were in the field. He's a good competitor, has now won two majors, and his brightest days could be ahead of him. Now, if he could just lose the paste on smile and the visor I'd be happier.

***iacas*** · November 14, 2005

Now, if he could just lose the paste on smile and the visor I'd be happier.

He did look so much better in the hat. I think it's horrible how his new logo with the swoopy lines matches his hairstyle.

**Baynative** · November 14, 2005

Sometimes as fans we want sooo much out of our stars they can never make us happy. Not long ago Tiger jetted up and left a Tournament on Sunday that could have ended with him being in a playoff on Monday - not much flack over that one , though.

Its funny how some people touch us and form an opinion that seems to stick.

"Now, if he could just lose the paste on smile and the visor..."

Many agree, but - We'll probably never hear complaints about Shigeichi Muriama's smile, Jason Gore's smile or Freddie's visor. I for one am glad Jesper dumped the hayseed visor flip, though. (I'd like to see Tiger shave, too)

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The Best Excuse Phil Mickelson Could Use For His Absence From The Tour Championship

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