Monday, February 19, 2007
Mickelson collapses late at Riveria
Mickelson collapses late at Riveria. Wow! Before the Clarion could even give him props for gutting it out and winning in the final round of the Pebble Beach pro-am. Only last week, here he was winning on a tough, U.S. Open style course, where he had the lead and all the pressure.
Bam a week’s gone by, the situation’s arrived again, and the Hefty Lefty has blown it. Golf is some mental game. Last Sunday Phil Mickelson took a close tournament late and ran away with it. His first victory since he snatched a U.S. Open defeat from the jaws of victory.
A mere seven days ago Mickelson was quoted saying, “Winning today gives me satisfaction. I believe I can take what happened at Winged Foot and make it a plus for the rest of my career.”
"I think I'm going to be a better driver of the golf ball for the rest of my career. At least that's the goal."
This week he was ripping another one of those patented 18th hole drivers into trouble. This week he was losing a final round lead on a tough U.S. Open style course, to a guy who had no shortage of hard luck himself. Winner Charles Howell III had been a runner-up ten times since his last victory, which, itself occurred at a tournament that is now defunct. Howell better known for his talent and driving length, than finishing skills may be off the schneid, but he’s no rival to Tiger. And ultimately, that’s the question for Phil; is he Tiger’s rival or is Tiger his Daddy? (As Pedro would say.)
Now with Masters coming, Phil can no longer banish thoughts of the blown Open at Wing Foot. Sunday, Phil once again jerked a driver off of 18 tee in the final round, with the lead, into the rough and bogeyed. Perennial bridesmaid Howell triumphed in a playoff. Phil hasn’t won in competition against Tiger since his mortal meltdown.
But, Tiger’s wife is pregnant. How focused will Tiger be on golf at the Masters? This is what we have to go through in this era of golf. Last year we had a major where Tiger wasn’t focused. Who would have been so soon after their father/mentor passing? He didn’t make the cut. But then, by the next one, the sport’s strongest willed competitor, was dialed in, result, he won going away. Now? Will Mickelson have a say? Or will it be all about whether or not Tiger’s wife is sleeping soundly? Are there any golfers who can beat a focused Tiger Woods in a major? ‘Cause the Clarion knows this about Tiger, he is gonna take care a da wife, major or no major. Gonna be a lot more majors, only one wife. Tiger gets it. If all is well, and we hope it will be with Elin Nordegren's pregnancy, Tiger will be focused on the golf course. It says here, if Tiger's focused, he’s unstoppable at Augusta.
If he’s not, Phil won’t be the guy grabbing the green jacket. Keep your eyes on previous champs Vijay and Jose Maria Olazabal...or a dark horse, with only 3 wins in 329 starts, but always seemingly on the Master’s leaderboard, Chris DiMarco.
Remember, it may be a Gators year.
Bam a week’s gone by, the situation’s arrived again, and the Hefty Lefty has blown it. Golf is some mental game. Last Sunday Phil Mickelson took a close tournament late and ran away with it. His first victory since he snatched a U.S. Open defeat from the jaws of victory.
A mere seven days ago Mickelson was quoted saying, “Winning today gives me satisfaction. I believe I can take what happened at Winged Foot and make it a plus for the rest of my career.”
"I think I'm going to be a better driver of the golf ball for the rest of my career. At least that's the goal."
This week he was ripping another one of those patented 18th hole drivers into trouble. This week he was losing a final round lead on a tough U.S. Open style course, to a guy who had no shortage of hard luck himself. Winner Charles Howell III had been a runner-up ten times since his last victory, which, itself occurred at a tournament that is now defunct. Howell better known for his talent and driving length, than finishing skills may be off the schneid, but he’s no rival to Tiger. And ultimately, that’s the question for Phil; is he Tiger’s rival or is Tiger his Daddy? (As Pedro would say.)
Now with Masters coming, Phil can no longer banish thoughts of the blown Open at Wing Foot. Sunday, Phil once again jerked a driver off of 18 tee in the final round, with the lead, into the rough and bogeyed. Perennial bridesmaid Howell triumphed in a playoff. Phil hasn’t won in competition against Tiger since his mortal meltdown.
But, Tiger’s wife is pregnant. How focused will Tiger be on golf at the Masters? This is what we have to go through in this era of golf. Last year we had a major where Tiger wasn’t focused. Who would have been so soon after their father/mentor passing? He didn’t make the cut. But then, by the next one, the sport’s strongest willed competitor, was dialed in, result, he won going away. Now? Will Mickelson have a say? Or will it be all about whether or not Tiger’s wife is sleeping soundly? Are there any golfers who can beat a focused Tiger Woods in a major? ‘Cause the Clarion knows this about Tiger, he is gonna take care a da wife, major or no major. Gonna be a lot more majors, only one wife. Tiger gets it. If all is well, and we hope it will be with Elin Nordegren's pregnancy, Tiger will be focused on the golf course. It says here, if Tiger's focused, he’s unstoppable at Augusta.
If he’s not, Phil won’t be the guy grabbing the green jacket. Keep your eyes on previous champs Vijay and Jose Maria Olazabal...or a dark horse, with only 3 wins in 329 starts, but always seemingly on the Master’s leaderboard, Chris DiMarco.
Remember, it may be a Gators year.
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