Mickelson continues to impress me.......

[Dub]

Very unrpedictable. As I wrote previously, watching him is like riding a wild roller coaster ride. You never know what is going to happen next, but it sure is exciting!

Well said. Phill is "good people" in my book. He is very intertaining and a fun guy to follow at Augusta....very good with the patrons. I wish him well and hope that he plays to his full potential in the years ahead. We all win when he does. Perhpas some of the "anti-Phil" crowd would love him if he played Titleist gear.

[PEZGolf]

I am amazed at how positive this thread has been so far about Phil! This is awesome!

In some ways, we can call Phil the Arnie of the current age, and Tiger the Jack. Remember this---Jack said, "I won more trophies, but Arnie had more fans." Arnie had "it"---the kind of charisma that makes fans really love a guy. Jack had the respect of the fans, but not their love. Two keys to earning the love of the fans are the following:

1. Attitude---you have to appear to be approachable, and friendly. Your smile to the fans in the gallery tells a lot. Are you so focused that you do not even see them, much less acknowledge them, or do you make eye contact, smile, and even talk to them? You tell me----does either Phil or Tiger come across as "approachable"? 2. Accessibility---do you stick around, like Arnie does and did, to sign autographs until your wrist hurts and every fan gets your autograph, or do you go from the 18th green to the signing tent to the limo taking you away from the course? You tell me---who signs more autographs at tournaments---Tiger or Phil? Tiger is the Super Star and this is the Tiger Era. Jack was the Grand Champion but Arnie was the People's Champion and The "King". Much as he wanted the affection of the fans, Jack knew he would never replace the "King", and he has not. And when the King goes to join his wife, Winnie, and his Dad, Deke, in the fairways in the sky, there will be no new King. Arnie was and ever will be the one and only King. Charisma is a gift, but the love of the fans has to be earned, each and every day. You cannot fool sports fans----they warm up to players or athletes who are approachable, warm and human.

[beachbreak]

The fans at the 2002 Open at Bethpage Black treated Phil like he was their "King". When he crossed the road to tee it up at 15, the people there let out a roar heard round the course. Guys I followed in the 1970's and my impression: Tom Watson was snippy but with a smile so on TV it probably looked like he was cordial with the fans. ChiChi was great. One time his ball was buried in the rough with only the top showing like an egg in a nest, he says to us in the gallery "should I boil boil this or fry it". Nicklaus was royalty.

[beachbreak]

Nicklaus was in his own world, popping out occassionally for a hand wave or something. He was like a Nordic god with the long, blond hair, never wearing a hat. Very intimidating to look at with piercing concentration in his eyes. The whoosh of his swing on the tee sounded like a jet taking off. You knew you were in the presence of greatness. I guess today it's the same with Tiger. It must be so hard to play with those guys in a final round, especially in a major. That's why I now have a great respect for Rocco, a warrior.

[Zeph]

The way Tiger concentrate on the game and rarely make any contact with the audience may just be why he is the worlds best player. Phils interaction may be why he has had a tendency to lose focus on the last round and blow it up. I would not mind if Tiger was a bit more interactive, but the funny thing is that when he first does say or do something, it's much more amusing than when the average player sign an autograph.

[PEZGolf]

The way Tiger concentrate on the game and rarely make any contact with the audience may just be why he is the worlds best player. Phils interaction may be why he has had a tendency to lose focus on the last round and blow it up. I would not mind if Tiger was a bit more interactive, but the funny thing is that when he first does say or do something, it's much more amusing than when the average player sign an autograph.

Tiger is usually all business in his interviews, but when he loosens up, he has a good sense of humor and loves to needle the media.

[Chas]

Pezgolf,
That was a very interesting and thoughtful post IMO. I've been thinking along similar lines but don't have much personal info to make a firm conclusion. Of course highly successful sport professionals (including golfers) have the right to decide how much to intereact with Jo Public, but you make a telling comparison.

I have heard a few anecdotes (from people who should know) about Tiger's appearances at Torrey Pines before and during the Buick over the years, the thrust of which is that he has less interest in interacting with the general public than most other golfers - I'm talking about the sort of "common touch" that you were referring to. One or two people I've talked to dislike this about him quite intensely - they consider him to be unnecessarily remote. Personally, I agree with another poster that Tiger's whole approach (to everything about the game) is extraordinarily focused and free of distractions - probably starting with how he organizes breakfast at the hotel etc etc [only guessing ..... ]. But a little mixing it with The Common Man goes a long way, and most golfers do a lot more of it than Tiger. Phil would be one, I think most would agree.

Like I said before, we shouldn't try to force everyone into the same mold, but still it's appropriate to give credit where it is due. Phil lets it hang out a bit more, it's in his temperament and personally I like that a lot about him. Whether he lets it hang out a bit too much today on the track we will shortly find out .....

* munch munch *

p.s. I also agree that Tiger interviews extraordinarily well, I mean it still amazes me how much specific credit he gives other players when they do well and how tough he can be when talking about his own game when he doesn't. This sort of thing buys him a tremendous amount of respect and sympathy with the public, even more so when he loses to some guy on a hot streak. Great as he is, Tiger is humble before the great game of goff - something Jo Hacker can respect as much as anything else.

[bIGwIRE]

Goooooooooooooooo Watney!!!!

[Jay-Bird]

Goooooooooooooooo Watney!!!!

You mean GO Watney's ball. If he keeps leaving putts short he deserves 2nd.

[Zeph]

Oh my god, what an idiot shouting "GET IN THE WATER" after Phils drive on the 18th.

[flopdarock]

Oh my god, what an idiot shouting "GET IN THE WATER" after Phils drive on the 18th.

that was sooo messed up... but damn i couldnt help but laugh

[Zeph]

You mean GO Watney's ball. If he keeps leaving putts short he deserves 2nd.

Indeed, the last hole really dotting the i, with his putt being half an inch short.

[JetFan1983]

Wow, what a great tournament. I watched all day today and was on the edge of my seat since the telecast started. Great job by Watney- that putt couldn't have been any closer. I can't believe he couldn't capitalize on Phil's errors on that par-5 where Phil had to hit righty out of the bushes.

Still, what a great event. I can't wait for the Masters now.

[BASHERBAKER69]

Poor old Phil..congratulations on the win, and have a week off on me!

You should have thumped that twit who said 'get in the water'.

[RocketSauce]

im so sick of the " GET IN THE HOLE! " screams. ESPECIALLY when they're teeing off from 500 yards away with no chance of getting it in the hole. EVERY-SINGLE-SHOT??? C'mon, it has gotten old

[iacas]

im so sick of the "

Well, the guy on 18 yelled "get in the water!" which Johnny Miller actually seemed to defend!

[Chas]

What a finish, and really tough play by Watney. But then we know about him already down here in San Diego ...... Like Miller said though, he does need to work on his bunker play a bit, it really hurt him today.

OK, what do you guys think of Phil's second shot on that par 5? - the one that followed the hook to a spot in deep rough behind a low bush and with a few palm trees in play in front ("the Old Phil" kind of huge missed drive) - and requiring a reversed (backhanded) shot to move it forward. Which iron did he use by the way? I don't recall ever seeing a shot quite like that in tournament play; he almost pulled it off brilliantly (very clean contact, good flight) and sort of got away with it (could easily have bounced off the tree and out of bounds, as his caddy audibly worried beforehand) since the ball dropped straight down after squarely hitting one of the threatening palms. I've hit more than a few palm trunks in my time and trust me the ball rarely drops down straight like that (Queen palms excepted, the fat ones). I can't imagine anyone else on the tour attempting that shot, and mostly getting away with it.*

Phil's second shot on 18 was very sweet, under pressure; he considered his caddy's advice to play a draw out over the water and went with the fade. I suspect he's been practicing that one a lot with Harmon and it sure paid off in spades there.

Phil was gracious in the interview afterwards I thought, esp. when asked about the #1 position he currently holds. Remarkable that he could play so well while after taking i.v. fluids to prevent dehydration/excessive weakness.

Well done the both of them - just terrific TV.

*Phil sure earned this month's syndicate check with that one, ahem .....

[RocketSauce]

Well, the guy on 18 yelled "get in the water!" which Johnny Miller actually seemed to defend!

YEAH I HEARD THAT! I couldnt believe it! He said something like "

well, this is a sport "....give me a break Johnny