Mickelson's Win at Augusta a Victory for Families

Although I am not a devoted golf enthusiast, I do typically watch the four PGA majors and have always loved watching The Masters each April. This year’s Masters was especially enticing as it marked the return of the world’s No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods, following his personal and marital issues that became global news headlines beginning late last year. This was to be the “new Tiger” with a better attitude about his game and a better appreciation of the fans.

By late Sunday afternoon, golf fans were instead treated to watching a golfer who couldn’t be a more polar opposite of Woods off the course and is now getting closer to matching his excellence on the course. Phil Mickelson captured his third Green Jacket at the Masters, dedicating his victory to his wife and mother who have been battling breast cancer for the past year.

Over the past year while Woods was racking up another $10 million on the PGA tour winning 6 of the 17 tournaments he entered and spending his “off the course” time engaging with prostitutes and Waffle House waitresses, Mickelson game slipped (although he was still ranked No. 2 in the world behind Woods) for obvious reasons. His focus was not on golf but rather on accompanying his wife to chemotherapy sessions and being with his mother during his recovery. Golf is a mental game and Mickelson’s mind was, understandably so, elsewhere. Although the prognosis is good for both his mother and wife Amy, the mental toll on Mickelson was and must still be immense.

Following Mickelson’s putt for birdie on the 18th green, he embraced Amy and viewers could feel the love he has for that woman. Sadly, less than five minutes later, Woods was interviewed by CBS and he displayed the same petulant, pompous, and arrogant attitude that got him into trouble in the first place. In addition, his promise to tone down his on-the-course cursing and club slamming was broken halfway through the final round.

How ironic that Woods, who blew up and destroyed his family, is now playing second fiddle to the quiet and pro-family guy Mickelson. Let’s hear for the good guy!