'Phony' label doesn't fit Phil Mickelson

golf.com ^ | 4/11/10 | Joe Posnanski

[ICAB9USA]

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Okay, so I have two friends who do not like Phil Mickelson. Actually, I know quite a few people who do not like Phil Mickelson. But there are two in particular I'm thinking about today after Mickelson put on one of the greatest shows ever on a Masters Saturday. Back-to-back eagles! Almost a third eagle! A brilliant 67! A slot in the final pairing on Sunday!

Yes, I know two people who are not happy.

One of those people is a colleague who knows Mickelson a little bit (but only a little bit) and the other is a friend who doesn't know Mickelson at all. He just knows what he sees on television and reads in various places. The colleague and friend don't know each other and they're nothing like each other, but the funny thing is they dislike Mickelson for the same reason: both think he's a phony.

The "phony" charge — in sports, in politics, in life — has long interested me probably because, nine out of 10 times, it doesn't make much sense. This guy's a phony. That woman's a phony. I don't like that jerk, something phony about him. A reporter friend likes to tell the story about people he knows who, through the years, have insisted that Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden was a big, fat phony. "It's all an act with him," they would say. To which the reporter would reply: "Well, he's been doing it for 50 years so it's one hell of an act."

[Textide]

After one of the eagles yesterday, they showed about 15 secs of him standing still between holes. His head was darting too and fro, presumably looking for cameras. Just had a wild look in his eyes that was kind of creepy.

Then again, shooting two eagles in a row in one of the biggest tournaments on TV in front of millions of fans is deserving of attention. He was certainly thriving in it.

[estrogen]

I don’t get it either.....he’s a good golfer and seems like a nice guy, yet there are all kinds of rumors about him being a “swinger”......isn’t that slander? and why would you spread that ugly rumor without evidence. A hidden agenda? None of it makes any sense to me, why do we as a public have to know everything about a sports figure? Can’t we just enjoy watching someone who excels and that’s that?

[screaminsunshine]

US Press Corpse.

[ICAB9USA]

I think the "phoney" charge does not have to do with his game .... it's about his "good guy" image.

(jmo) He is a good guy.

[ICAB9USA]

LOL..... so true.

[ICAB9USA]

Right on.

[ICAB9USA]

I can’t even explain why he annoys me so much.

_________

You're not alone. Neither could any one in the article. lol

Trust me, just because he doesn't want to fart around with the other players in the locker room does not make him a phoney.

The guy is a good guy.

[Solson]

The guy is a good guy....who has also has had numerous past transgressions against his marital vows...

It's just not public and he stopped a while ago. On the tour though, it was well known...

[Ditto]

Phil has more natural ability than any other golfer out there today but he takes more risky chances and some times he blows up.

As Bobby Jones said many years ago. At the competitive level these guys play at, the game is all about the 9 inches between your ears.

They are are enormously talented. It is the mental aspects of the game -- the ability to stay focused and make good course decisions -- that make all the difference.

Personally, I don't know how any of them can make a six inch putt when they know that there are 10,000 people around the green watching and millions more watching on TV and tens of thousands of dollars riding on that putt.

That to me would be real pressure. I'd probably choke.

[ICAB9USA]

re: The guy is a good guy....who has also has had numerous past transgressions against his marital vows... It's just not public and he stopped a while ago. On the tour though, it was well known...

______

Funny ....... the entire rather long article is not about his marital "transgressions" AT ALL, and, I never heard of your claims.

Any substantiating you can do there? Hmmmm?

[ICAB9USA]

re: As Bobby Jones said many years ago. At the competitive level these guys play at, the game is all about the 9 inches between your ears.

___

"Five and half inches" was in the quote.

Let's see a picture of your head.

;-)

[screaminsunshine]

I hope the Greens are like ice today.

[BufordP]

Dollars to donuts Joe Posnanski’s irrational friends voted for Obama.

[MHGinTN]

There are people in life who believe they can raise their heroes value by degrading others, and they use that in their personal lives, also. Phil is a human being, with flaws like the rest of us. When one reaches a high point in professional goals, there are the usual jealous voices with incessant nabobbery. We probably have dyed in the wool Tiger fans who hate that he's discovered to be such a disgusting sexual degenerate, so to raise his image they believe creating rumors about his competitors, to bring them down to Tiger's level of disgusting is in order.

[MHGinTN]

There is something phony about you, n00b.

[personalaccts]

Jerimiah Wright uses the term G-D#$mnit in his sermon. As soon as CBS came on live yesterday Tiger said that. Mickelson doesn’t curse like Tiger does (if he does the mic hasn’t picked it up)

[Solson]

Nope. No written substantiation...but if you know anyone who's been associated with the tour in any capacity...they will tell you. There, it's common knowledge.

I like Phil, his story, his approach to the game and don't think he's a phony...but...he has failed being faithful a few times in his past.

He was smart about it...he stopped.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

The guy is a good guy....who has also has had numerous past transgressions against his marital vows... It's just not public and he stopped a while ago. On the tour though, it was well known...

Your unsubstantiated comments against Phil Mickelson amount to slander and libel.

[Deo volente]

The guy is a good guy....who has also has had numerous past transgressions against his marital vows... It's just not public and he stopped a while ago.

You seem to be the only one who knows about it. Fill us in on the details, O Wise One.
In other words, put up or shut up!

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Sorry I could not post the last few days. Some items I had to take care of. GRRR, thanks for the FReepmail.

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