Golf fans are a fickle bunch. They cheer their favorite players on to victory or demoralize them when not playing up to par. So goes the story of Phil Mickelson, whose fan base has stuck by him during the highs and lows, from the time Phil was called “the only top PGA Golf Pro never to have won a major” up to his win at the 2004 Masters Tournament. However, the love/hate relationship between golf fans and Phil borders on strange, to say the least. Out of the hundreds of well-known PGA Professionals on tour, why do many golf fans constantly pick on Phil?
I have asked this question to several golf fans as well as searched the internet to understand the public’s hot and cold reactions to Mickelson.
Let’s start off with what viewers don’t like about Phil:
- His smile comes off phony at times. Although he appears genuine when he’s playing well, when Mickelson makes a bad shot and has a “smile” on his face, you know it’s phony and really a “smirk”. This “defense mechanism” is obviously one of the biggest reasons some people have used him as a veritable punching bag.
- He lets down his fans by choking. With so much talent, Phil finds ways to lose almost every time when playing alongside of the upper echelon. One fan commented that although he wins lots of tournaments alot of them are “inconsequential” ones.
- As part of the above comment, but important in it’s own right: Phil plays great on Thursday and Friday, but by the weekend he falls apart. He makes dumb mistakes, like making four putt “chokes” in the finals of the Masters Tournament, dropping from 3rd place in the final round to a disappointing 10th by the end of the round. He’s in contention one moment, then misses an easy putt. Once Phil loses interest, he can’t get back into game and let’s down his fans as well as himself.
ESPN asked its readers to suggest the top ten choke artists of all time…the fans chose Mickelson as their number three pick. One email selected from the 3,200 sent in to ESPN stated, “Not only is he the biggest choke artist, he’s also the stupidest player in the history of the PGA Tour. At least when Greg Norman goes down in flames, he does it trying to do the right thing. Mickelson chokes because he spends his entire time on the golf course trying to show the world that you can win by hitting a 320-yard drive and an 80-yard pitch shot on a 400-yard par-4 dogleg right. I’ve gotten to the point now that I watch him play hoping to see another train wreck.”
- Mickelson’s switch from Titleist to Callaway hurt him. Bloggers from across the country wrote scathing articles about how greed made Phil ink a much more lucrative contract with Callaway, forcing Acushnet (parent company for Titleist)out of the picture. Of course, calling Colin Montgomery’s Callaway Irons “shovels” during a round didn’t help his popularity either.
On the lighter side, let’s take a look at why some golf fans (including myself) adore him.
- He’s a family man with an loving wife, Amy, and several beautiful children who chase after him, often stealing his thunder, after winning a tournament. This is very endearing to watch and the culture of America thrives on good old family values. This is one big scoring point for Phil.
- He is “Everyman’s” underdog. Phil is the guy everybody wants to see win on Sunday. He appears likeable, and in our sports society, fans love the underdog and want to see the underdog prevail. Being in Tiger Woods’ footsteps also helped create this underdog “stigma”. Although he played at the top of his game for many years, Phil was always overshadowed by Tiger and people felt upset that he could never beat the number one player in the world.
- Fans appreciated his conservative play to win the 2004 Masters tournament. By fulfilling his destiny and finally capturing a major, Phil showed the fans that he is capable of playing safe AND winning. Rallying to victory with smart play gave Mickelson an additional fan base.
- Mickelson donates his time and dollars to charities. Donations of $100 per birdie and $500 per eagle during the 2005 season to Homes for Our Troops, creates wheelchair accessible living spaces for disabled troops. President George Bush recently commended Mickelson, “I commend you and Homes for our Troops for your commitment to improving the quality of life for our disabled veterans who have sacrificed in the fight against the enemies of freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq… your efforts reflect the compassionate spirit of America.”
Always feeling that his contributions are never enough, Phil and wife Amy have now teamed up with the ExxonMobil Foundation to give selected elementary school teachers advanced training in science and mathematics.
From the bloggers who continually berate Phil’s performances to the cheering fans who take stock of his accomplishes, everyone seems to have an opinion about the world’s number four player in the world. Whether or not your ideas are justified, it’s remarkable to watch Phil make a name for himself and to get so much coverage just for being Phil.
Fans who adore Phil are falling for the oldest trick in the book: believing that a person’s public image is a true reflection of that person’s real persona.
How many people believed that television host Pat O’Brien was a pleasant and wholesome person based on his work on “Access Hollywood”, “The Insider” and CBS Sports? In reality he led a life of debauchery involving drugs, alcohol and prostitutes. This only came to light recently when an X-rated voicemail surfaced, prompting O’Brien to enter alcohol rehab.
Similar stories of public figures duping the public include Hugh Grant, Kobe Bryant, Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, the list is endless.
When Vijay Singh was asked on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel if he envied Mickelson’s family-man image, he replied: “Yeah. But is that the true Phil? Is that the true person? Do you see the true side of Phil? I don’t know. I cannot speak for Phil. But you see the true me. I don’t hide things.”
Just don’t believe everything you see on TV. Phil knows that you’re watching, believe me.
http://www.grouchygolf.com/
P.S. Phil’s charitable donations are a miniscule amount relative to his net worth or annual income. Take his donation commitment to Homes for Our Troops. Last year, Phil made a total of 332 birdies and 7 eagles. At a commitment of $100 per birdie and $500 per eagle, this would amount to a whopping $36,700 donation to Homes for Our Troops. Compare this to Mickelson’s annual endorsement income of more than $20 million and it’s just laughable. What about Phil’s participation in the ExxonMobil Foundation? The details are unclear, but both he and ExxonMobil are milking this in TV commercials. Phil’s charitable activities are clearly PR stunts designed to do nothing more than prop his wholesome image.
If you want to know what Phil is really like, look at his kids. Kids are not good actors. These kids are all over Phil after tournaments. Everyone wants to believe that all professional athletes are jerks away from the cameras, but there actually are some good people out there. Maybe it’s hard to understand if you don’t have a family as supportive as Phil’s. Singh is jealous. He has no idea what it’s like to have a family like that.
Wasn’t it terrific to see Phil’s family jumping all over him at the 2005 PGA Championship? He looked just like a regular guy to me. And you’re right…little kids don’t lie. You’ll know immediately if a kid likes you or not.
And regarding Mickelson’s charitable donations. Whenever someone gives of himself to the greater good, whether in the form of donations or service to the community, it should NEVER be frowned upon.
Phil is a gracious winner and even when he loses, which now adays is not often, he is a gracious loser. His smile and tip of his cap to the crowds is great. And, he is a loving husband and father to three darling little girls.
Kids look up to the father figure in that “my dad can do anything” aspect in their youth. The kids don’t know that Phil may be superficial, egotistical, and they may not believe that their dad could be one of those people, but that doesn’t change the fact that he just may be that type of person. They just know him as a father, and yes, he may be a great father at that. But if you mix the ever-so-jolly facial expressions that Phil wears on the golf course and in the media spotlight, and compare it to the outbursts that have occurred in recent tournaments (i.e. yelling at a fan that took a picture of him mid-swing in the 2006 Masters, as well as frustrated yelling during the recent U.S. Open whenever he hit an errant tee shot, and then a smile on his face when the cameras snapped back to him), you would know that Phil is obviously holding back his true personality.
Phil may be a great golfer destined to be in the Hall of Fame in the future, a great family man, and he’s worked hard to become the “people’s choice” in modern-day golf, and earn the trust of millions of people around the world, but you have to realize that sometimes his actions speak louder than his words, and that his facades on the course can be transparent. I can understand how he can annoy many of his peers. Come on, he didn’t make the GQ’s “Ten Most Hated Professional Athletes” list from a random lottery of successful athletes. His peers voted him into that list, and that speaks volumes by itself.
People’s choice or people’s champion. Who started that. Can you imagine a black man e.g. Tiger being called the people’s choice? Craig Kann of The Golf Channel, just says it over and over again. It’s obvious what he’s talking about.
There is nothing wrong with Phil`s wrist, he is a faker!!!
He played very well after signing with his new coach, cant place his name at the moment. The gay guy that used to work with Tiger, tells great stories etc???
Anyway, Phil played very well, pulls out during the Players with a limp wrist only after a couple double bogeys. He did not want to be embarrassed so he made the whole thing up,
There is nothing wrong with his wrist, he just wants a excuse to give should he play poorly at the US OPEN.
He has also gained back most of the weight he lost…Amy you need to have someone like me “go into your drawers” and re stock fridge and cupboards with non fat items.
That’s a stupid comment. Phil wouldn’t change a successful preparation plan in order to “fake” something. Your use of “gay” and other facts (Phil won The Players) further illustrate just how wrong and out of touch you are.
I take issue with Scott Legreat`s comments on Phil.
Phil is not faking!!!!!! Phil is not fat, and his new guy is not gay.
For the record, Phil`s new swing coach is none other then the great Butch Harmon. The only thing you got right is that he was once employed by Tiger,everything else was inaccurate. Butch is not gay and in fact is quite a lady`s man about town, so I am told.
While it may be true that Phil may have milked the wrist injury a bit, he did not make it up. The mental toll of a injury like that is stunning.
Try to get your facts straight before you shoot your mouth off in the future.
OK TINA
Phil had stated that exrays showed there was no major injury, but only imflamation. He has sent such mixed messages, he has no credibility left.
When ever he had a bad shot or putt, he holds his wrist and says OUCH. Even when the wrist clearly was not a problem, its off to the wrist. He had stated couple times that it was not even sore???
Glad to see you atleast admit that he was milking it, thank you for a little bit of objectivity,that is refreshing from a Phil fan. btw I am also a Phil fan, just growing a bit tired of his me me me me stuff.And how bout his blaming the USGA for his wrist problem? Even his supporters are curious about that one.
As for Buth Harmon,you know why his name is BUTCH don`t you.
I am also sure Butch is not gay, I was only joking. Don`t repeat anything personal about yourself to him though, because he might just share it on television.What are all these great fun stories Butch is sharing with Phil about the personal lives of his former clients?
There is something called Dr client confidentiality, right?
Phil is a phony and he is going to get his ass kicked on July 5th at the at&t by Tiger.
Most readers of these posts very likely are exclusively focussed on the game of golf itself and on the personalities and personal lives of golfers, and, in response to this post will say, “Who cares?” But, ExxonMobil and federal Dept of Education press releases tout Mr. Mickelson’s allegedly significant use of science and math in his career – golf – and his involvement in science and math academies for teachers (only in localities conveniently close to stops on Mr. Mickelson’s tour route).
How much does ExxonMobil pay Mr. Mickelson to appear here and there for an hour or so to do such things as coach Secretary of Education Spellings on how to putt a few balls? Does anyone know? Just what does he himself – or any athlete in any sport or any corporate CEO – specifically and personally do “to give selected elementary school teachers advanced training in science and mathematics”?
Would ExxonMobil hire a Nobel prize winner in physics or chemistry or medicine/physiology? A Stephen Hawking (a quadriplegic in a wheelchair) or a Richard Dawkins (Professor of the Public Understanding of Science)? And, if so, for the same amount of money? No, because, with the possible exception of Albert Einstein, the great mass of people can’t be bothered to know anything or be enthusiastic about the scientists who have discovered the laws of nature and conducted the research and development which yield the technologies which people are eager to use but can’t be bothered to do a little work to understand. Plus, scientists, etc. are “geeks” and “nerds,” and one – keeping his finger to the wind in an effort to be and remain “cool†– must avoid those labels at all costs in order to not stick out in this popular conformist culture. Yet, there’s all this talk from government policy makers and Movers and Shakers in private corporate tyrannies about science and math skills being essential to maintaining the United States’ dominant position in technological innovation, economic might and national security.
Just how does Mr. Mickelson meaningfully use science, physics, math, etc. to aim straight and true? Does he whip out the calculator, protractor, paper and pencil, etc. to figure out the force and direction of a putt, to quantify the coefficient of friction between a green and ball?
No. He “eyeballs” it. Such a skill comes from a tremendous amount of practice and training. Training involves repetition of specific techniques. The more training, the more that training becomes habit, and even maybe habit becomes something close to instinct, which is doing without having to think about it. Education as such has little to do with it. Education provides among other things, higher “Big Picture” critical thinking skills necessary for dealing with new situations (as opposed to doing the same thing over and over). No NBA player calls a time-out to do a bit of calculus to precisely figure out what he needs to do to send that basketball through the needed parabolic arc to successfully swoosh through the basket. (Assuming he could somehow completely accurately translate that calculation into physical action.) Same with a top-flight quarterback when he puts the spin on that oblate spheroid.
FURTHER THE AFFIANT SAITH NOT.
Great work Filippo.
That`s funny….Phil Mickelson Science center or whatever..
Tiger Woods ROCKS
Have watched golf everytime it is on. We are senior citizens and that is our favorite pasttime. Love all the players, especially Phil Mickelson, even tho all the flap has been written about him. There are other players (up on the top list) who swear on the course when a bad shot occurs, throws down their clubs, etc., but nothing is said about them. Phil is enjoyable, even when he makes big mistakes, like the rest, but he is still our favorite to watch when he is on the money. We are always rooting for him, even tho we know he is losing. Keep on playing Phil, we love you.
Dean Martin
Come on folks, cant you be a Phil supporter without trashing Tiger Woods??? 😈
Phil’s smirk is really really annoying…. makes him appear insincere…
Wow – I can’t believe the amount of negative talk about someone because of their smile… has anyone considered that maybe it’s simply his natural facial expression? Do you think he actually premeditates this “smirk” every single time he putts out or receives an ovation? That’s an awful lot of effort over a 15 year career don’t you think? Fact is – no matter what you think about him – he’s one of the most entertaining players in golf. I get just as frustrated as any Phil fan when he’s trying to go for the green with a driver from 50 yards into the woods and ends up with a triple… but it is *never* dull to watch him play. Some of the shots he’s pulled off have literally had me jumping up cheering (ie almost holing out on 14 in the ’04 Masters). Pretty sure I’ve never jumped up cheering for the most accurate driver, or the most greens in regulation guy. He plays the way he wants to play and blames only himself when he blows it. (Recall “I am such an idiot” from ’06 US Open.) And for whatever anyone thinks of his attitude towards playing it has earned him the second-best career record among active players, and a guaranteed spot in the hall of fame. People will always criticize his “questionable” play but the fact is no one (in the media anyway) is ever happy. If Phil played it safe everytime the media would be crying out “why doesn’t he ever go for it?” Outside of Tiger Woods he’s the most prolific player in the game – and he did it during the height of the “Tiger years” when every other player (except Vijay Singh) has barely collected any more than 6-10 wins. How can you question that? Go Phil.
PS – on Phil’s charitable donations – anyone who gives *any* part of themselves either through effort, income or both to a worthy cause should be applauded. Case closed.
THE TRUTH IS THIS
Large parts of the sports media dislike Tiger Woods. They have gotten behind Phil and call him tHE PEOPLES CHOICE etc, even though Tiger clearly gets the bigger crowds…This is fact, not just my opinion. Tiger gets the biggest crowds, Phil is very popular, probably the 2nd most after Tiger.
Phil fans are mostly to blame. They feel they have to crap on Tiger in order to build their guy up. Tiger fans have had to defend Tiger against this. Now its basically you have to hate the other to love the one.
I am growing warmer towards Phil….Tiger is my guy.
I agree that most will crap on one to boost the other, I think that’s common in sports…. but not everyone needs to. I think Tiger is awesome too. I love it when Tiger wins and I sincerely hope he reaches (and surpasses) Jack. I have nothing bad at all to say about Tiger and his talent speaks for itself. I just will generally root for Phil when the two are battling head-to-head, as I feel for all players that continually get thumped by him. It’s nice just to see someone emerge from his shadow once in a while. It wouldn’t be very interesting if Tiger won every time someone challenged him. Today’s final at the Deutschbank was awesome… had me glued to the TV for every shot. It was definitely fun for me and any other Phil fans to see him finally win one against Tiger… but in the end I have to believe that Tiger will ultimately prevail and take the Fedex Cup, and he unquestionably deserves it.
All of you need to get a life and stop worrying so much about Phil Mickelson’s life. It is his. Now let him live it.
I am surprised more sportspersons don’t wilt under pressure when every little thing that they do is dissected and observed and commented upon by millions of people from around the world. How can one be expected to perform each time they take the field with so much pressure. Sometimes you just have to pause with awe and appreciate some of the great sportspersons of our time. When we are talking about golfers in particular, we need to cut these guys some slack. Not only are they playing under intense pressure all the time, they also have to contend with playing alongside Tiger Woods who seems to grab hold of every piece of silverware that is up for grabs in the professional circuit. When you have to play knowing that whatever you do it will not be nowhere close to the standards that Tiger has set it is bound to get frustrating.
Phil Mickelson comes off as a great guy with humility and a disarming smile. If there is one thing that one can complain about is that no one appreciates a sportsperson who comes up with excuses for a poor show and some of Phil’s comments during and after this year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont were not in great taste. Achievements will always continue to shine louder than words and after Phil got rid of the tag of being the “greatest golfer not to have won a major†he should now focus on doing his best to outdo Tiger on the golf course and not through verbal duels.
Phil is all B.S. Seriously.
I think Phil went in to this event missing the following….he did not have enough of his people on the ground at the Open. His people, meaning Butch,Pelts and 3 sports PHD`s. He really needed more of these people on the ground to pull it off.
Phil also did not have enough info on greens etc and his detailed maps where not quite enough. He should have flown in a few more map experts and maybe even a geologist and a chemist to analyze the soil on various greens.
I think not having a experienced landscape architect walking the course with him, was a mistake.
I understand the dietician from weight watchers was not really a experienced golfer, that may have been a mistake as others have said??? I personally would have been more comfortable had she been a top golfer/dietician that might have made the difference.
Bottom line Phil needs to GET MORE PEOPLE on the scene several months before each major.
Some have said info overload…I say Phil needs more info.
Perhaps next year he might have some people from NASA on his team.
I met Phil 11 years ago at the (then) Sprint International during a practice round. I was 12 at the time and trying to get autographs from some of my favorite players. A lot wouldn’t sign until after the round, if at all, but not Phil. He stopped and signed about 50 autographs, and mine was the last. I even got to walk up to the next hole with him and chat for about 5 minutes. He was extremely nice the whole time, and seemed genuinely interested in talking to a young kid who loved the game. Bottom line, Phil was extremely nice and genuine, so I think all this talk about him being phony is false.
Even though people change over time, I went to high school with Phil. He seemed nice back then and he never seemed to do anything idiotic. I had seen him on t.v. since he started until the
time that he won a tournament and received his first green jacket. Now, I’m not a golf fan by any means and I really only watched golf because of him. But I can tell you that what you see on t.v. is the genuine Phil. Phil was known around school as an excellent golfer. We went to a blue ribbon school to where most of the people that went there turned out to be pretty successful in life, including myself. So, although some celebrities are on drugs and are not what they seem to be, Phil is the genuine article and that doesn’t make for good television.
Phil is just as he seems on tv you say? Then he really is a obnoxious fellow in real life!