The Golf Watch

Family values play a central theme at 2010 Masters

The week started with Tiger Woods' first unrestricted press conference since the November car crash where he, once again, took responsibility for his infidelity.  Then there was Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne, who denounced Woods' actions, and expressed hope that Tiger will be able to repair his tarnished image.

Who would have thought by week's end, the family values theme would have surfaced again.  This time, it was Phil Mickelson, whose family traveled to Augusta for the first time since Amy Mickelson underwent treatment for breast cancer. 

The Mickelson family's collective embrace was a reversal of what we had grown accustomed to the last four months.

Mickelson's shot making at this year's Masters will always be remembered, but at day's end, it was his love for his family that had everyone talking.   

Lee Westwood's good sportsmaship exemplary

I have to tip my cap to Lee Westwood, who came all too close once again to capturing his first major championship. 

It wasn't only Westwood's precision on the course that impressed me, it was the way he handled himself in his post-round interviews.

Westwood said that although he was disappointed with some aspects of his final round, he was proud of his overall performance.  Most importantly, he said that Phil Mickelson earned the victory and that he was happy for him. 

Westwood was bombarded with questions all weekend about how he has come so close in the past without sealing the deal.  The Englishman held his head high, simply saying that he hopes his time will come.  In the meantime, he will keep plugging away.