Phil One of the 10 Most Hated Athletes

***iacas*** · January 21, 2006

From

Last August at the PGA Championship at Baltusrol, in New Jersey, a reporter turned to a golfer on the tour and said of Phil Mickelson, “Man, the fans here love Phil.” The golfer replied, “They don’t know him the way we do.” It blew our minds a little when we heard this, since Mickelson ranks among the most admired golfers in America. But today the same reporter makes his case bluntly: “Phil Mickelson literally has no friends out there. He annoys everybody.”

There's more, so click to read.

**Maverick** · January 21, 2006

I believe it. I think you have 2 fans when it comes to pro-athletes. One, you have a fan of the people and then 2, a fan of the players. I would say Tiger (Ernie, Vijay) is both, but Phil is not. My only reference to this argument is that I remember when he was paired with Sergio Garcia a few years back for one of those "Showdown at blah bla blah"..you know the made for TV, 2-some, match play event I think ABC presented.

I just remember when Sergio was eyeing a putt and Phil was literally breathing on his neck giving him advice and sounded extremely patronizing..which anyone watching/listening could pick up on. The expression on Sergio's face was the same as if you had a pestering gnat flying around your ear. If the cameras weren't on I'm sure Sergio would've said something not made for TV.

But I still like "FIGJAM" (see GQ :) for his golfing ability none the less and like to see him win, he's a media darling for sure.

**muskegman** · January 21, 2006

Very interesting read... Some guys never realize that the money, fame, and attention can sink you. It takes an incredible amount of self-centeredness to not see this even after years. Some guys are asses to start with and all the attention does nothing but intensify it.

Bill Cosby heard someone say that cocain intensifies your personality. Cosby asked, "Yeah. But what if you're an ass-hole?" Same goes with fame and $.

**jeffgladchun** · January 21, 2006

I don't see what people like in Phil. It might be his appearance, perhaps America can relate to the slob-like Mickelson because of his endearing beer-gut, but I don't see it. He's got game, thats for sure, but something about him rubs me the wrong way.

**golfin' girl** · January 21, 2006

OUCH! Jealousy rears it's ugly head again

Mickelson has a beautiful swing and great game.

**jeffgladchun** · January 22, 2006

Haha, maybe. His position at the top is great and his short game is equally impressive, but his personality seems very contrived. Just my opinion.

**flap** · January 22, 2006

Hey the beating he takes in this forum should last him a lifetime.I like him.I like to watch him play and I like that he spends time with his family and he went to school and got his diploma and played golf.Is he a phoney?I dont know,never met him and I doubt some of you Phill bashers here have either.Just my 2 cents.

**golfin' girl** · January 22, 2006

Thank you Flap. My sentiments exactly.

Never judge lest you too be judged.

***iacas*** · January 22, 2006

Thank you Flap. My sentiments exactly.

That's not the definition of "judging." Judging is determining whether something someone else does (says, thinks, etc.) is right or wrong.

I don't really care whether what Phil does is right or wrong - but I do think he's a phony and I don't like him. That ain't judging. People are free to like or dislike me, too - I don't get bent out of shape about it.

**Baynative** · January 22, 2006

I don't really care whether what Phil does is right or wrong - but I do think he's a phony and I don't like him.

27 tournament wins and 2 majors. Nothing phony there.

**jeffgladchun** · January 22, 2006

27 tournament wins and 2 majors. Nothing phony there.

What's phony is his attitude and the personality he shows the public. I think we can all agree he's a fine golfer.

**Baynative** · January 23, 2006

The first post on this thread says there's more to read, "so, click here" - can't figure that out...

But, with all the pressure tour pros deal with to play at their level, I can't imagine anyone being able to divide his attention for role playing. It seems like true personalities would surface more often than not.

I wonder what Pro-Am playing partners have to say about him, or his caddy, 'Bones' McKay.

Personally, I am a veteran and work with support groups for wounded vets and survivors. So I have a hell of a lot of admiration for someone who puts up a lot of cash and personal time to support those efforts as Phil and his wife do.

**jeffgladchun** · January 23, 2006

I wonder what Pro-Am playing partners have to say about him, or his caddy, 'Bones' McKay.

Interesting you bring that up. I'm sure Phil's more than gracious with his Pro-Am partners, as you will find most pros to be. During one event last year, the specific one eludes me, but either Bones or Phil had a mic on them and Bones was trying to club Phil for the next shot and Phil was being ridiculously patronizing towards his caddy. I think that Phil is an excellent impostor and has coaxed the majority of the viewing audience to his side of the bleachers, but not I.

**LarryK** · January 23, 2006

Interesting you bring that up. I'm sure Phil's more than gracious with his Pro-Am partners

Apparently so. There was a TV lead in to some tournament recently and the amatuer partners were just gushing about how Philly Mick was the "real deal."

as you will find most pros to be.

I've heard quite the opposite about the average tour pro, actually.

Phil was being ridiculously patronizing towards his caddy.

That's your standard for sincerity? If we had a nickel for every pro that treated his or her caddy like S#*T on a shoe, we could host our own PGA tour stop--and pay everybody's requested appearance fee.

I think that Phil is an excellent impostor...

Feigning what exactly? If I ever am privileged enough to play with a touring pro and he's "gracious" to me, I won't really care if he's faking it. I'll just appreciate it. Similarly, I'll be less than thrilled if I am ever paired with an "honest horse's ass".

If the Family Man Phil is a fake, shouldn't we have caught him with Hugh Grant's hooker by now? Let's see: If Phil signs autographs, hates it, but pretends otherwise, he's a hypocrite. If someone else signs autographs, hates it, but pretends otherwise, he is living up to his "professional responsibility to give something back." Meanwhile, admittedly, most of his colleagues on tour despise the guy. And I thought handicap computations were confusing!

**cmarkmyers** · January 23, 2006

I don't care for Phil all that much, but I agree he is a phenomenal golfer. I did read recently in a magazine that he and Vijay are not on the best of terms, although Vijay seems pretty intense at times so that is not surprising.

I think one of the reasons I don't care that much for Phil is because he is left handed. There is just something about watching a lefty golf that seems funky to me.

**flap** · January 23, 2006

Thats It!!!!Thems fighting words!!!!!All you "RIGHT HANDERS" think just who the heck you are.4 Irons at 195 yds

**muskegman** · January 23, 2006

Its hard to tell from this far off... its all conjecture and hearsay. Although I must admit his goofy smile and hat tip do tend to get on your nerves. Why doesn't he just take the hat off and wave it or wave?

At the very least he's a cheese bag.

***iacas*** · January 23, 2006

The first post on this thread says there's more to read, "so, click here" - can't figure that out...

I linked the word "GQ" to the article, as in "from

GQ . If you prefer it the other way, click this big old URL: http://men.style.com/gq/features/ful...4103&pageNum;=2

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