The Golf Watch

Woods: We've put Williams' comments to bed

According to Steve Sands of The Golf Channel, only one question was asked during Tiger Woods' press conference about the Williams/Mickelson "prick" comment.  Bill Plaschke of the LA Times was the columnist who stepped up to the plate and Woods' response was short and to the point--as expected:

What ended up happening is I communicated with Phil, and we have discussed it.  I talked to Stevie about it, and he feels bad what happened. At this point, that it happened at all is something that none of us really wanted to have happen. But it's over and done with, and we put it to bed.

After Woods' brief response, it was business as usual, with the media asking about the knee.  Do you think a week ago Woods would have been relieved to hear so many follow up questions about his new ligament?

National media jumps all over Williams/Mickelson story

It took a couple of days, but all of the major news outlets are now reporting the comments made by Steve Williams--including Phil Mickelson's response. 

If there was any question about this being a contentious issue, check out Jay Busbee's blog on Yahoo!  Last time I checked, more than 2600 comments.

The ramifications of Stevie's "prick" comment

As you all probably know by now, Murray Hills' column from the Taranaki Daily News has leaked all over the place.  Now most of the golfing world knows how Steve Williams feels about Phil Mickelson.  Hills quoted Williams at a charitable function saying:

I wouldn't call Mickelson a great player ... 'cause I hate the prick.'

Tiger Woods' tolerance for this kind of behavior could prove costly for Williams.  I'm sure Woods and agent Mark Steinberg have been on the phone quite a bit to prep for what the media will ask Woods this week at Sherwood.    

Something to keep in mind is that although we all know about Williams' treatment of photographers, he is also an extremely charitable and knowledgeable person. 

On a journalistic note: I am not sure why Hills decided to place the Mickelson quote into one of the bottom grafs.  The "prick" comment is pretty newsworthy. 

"It would make an okay year a great one"

Phil Mickelson is adding a lot of weight to this week's PGA.  At his press conference earlier today, Mickelson said a win at Oakland Hills would separate this season from 'just okay' to a great one...

Well, this is a big week because right now my season with just two wins is I think just okay.  But if I were able to come through on Sunday, and win this event, it would make an okay year a great one.

Best player not to have won a WGC?

Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson continued their stellar play at Firestone, and share the third round lead with Lee Westwood.  This is shaping up to be an exciting final round. 

Steve Elling of CBSSports.com offers this amusing bit about Phil's quest for his first WGC title:

As for delivering the goods on his personal front, Mickelson is within 18 holes of collecting his first WGC trophy, an odd hole in a career resume that includes three majors and a Players Championship among his 34 PGA Tour victories. He's 0-for-24 over his decade of competing in the big-money WGCs, for those of you not keeping score at home.

Of course, for years, he was hammered with questions about his winless skein in the majors, so even Mickelson smirked when he fielded this one after the round: "How does it feel to be the best player never to have won a WGC?"

"Thank you," he said, laughing again.

Mickelson calls for improvements in math and science

Phil Mickelson testified before Congress on Tuesday about his concerns related to education in the maths and sciences in the United States, and about how his program, the Mickelson Exxon Mobil Teachers Academy, has succeeded.  Lefty also got a chance to show off his public speaking skills.

Mickelson couldn't find ball on 6, results in triple

With all of the cameras and spectators, it's extremely rare to lose a ball in a professional tournament, let alone a major. 

But earlier today on the 6th hole at Birkdale, a wayward second shot from Phil Mickelson ended up in the fescue.  After the designated five minutes to look for the ball was up, no one could find it, resulting in a triple bogey for Mickelson.

During TGC's post game show, Brandel Chamblee went out to number six after the first round was completed, and threw three balls into the same rough where Phil's second shot seemed to have landed.  The balls were no where in sight when Chamblee walked over to the general location.

What else can tournament officials do to address this?  Increase the already large amount of marshalls?

Mickelson house up for sale

Phil Mickelson's house is on the market selling for between $10,750,000 - $12,225,876.  With all of the wildfires, the decision doesn't come as much of a surprise. 

As always, the Deadspin commenters didn't disappoint:

VT Ben: Damn, and I was all set to buy it for $12,225,877...

AusKosh: Does it have an intercom system that plays the sound of Phil breathing on an endless loop? If so, I'm in.

Fletch F. Fletch: Not Pictured: U.S. Open Trophy Shelf...Never Used

Phil goes with no driver in the bag

Whether it's two drivers in the bag, an extra wedge, or a sore wrist, Phil Mickelson always seems to make headlines at a major.

He did just that at Torrey Pines earlier today, choosing not to put a driver in the bag.  Mickelson told Dottie Pepper of NBC Sports:

Under these conditions, that was my game plan. Obviously, if it gets wet, I'm going to bring a driver out. But with the fairways being firm, and the balls running, I felt like 3-wood would give me the best chance to score well...

Tiger pointed this out, but Lefty was using a pretty strong 3-wood.  It's 11.5 degrees, and still carries around 275 yards.  I like Phil's strategy, even if he ends up 40 + yards behind Tiger at each hole.  He just needs to do better than six out of 14 fairways.

Mickelson spends lots of time signing autographs

Watching Phil Mickelson sign autographs at the Memorial earlier today reminds us here at The Golf Watch of how much we like Lefty.  After all, he is the Cal Ripken of signing.  For those of you not familiar, Cal would spend time before and after each game signing for fans at home and on the road.  At Camden Yards, fans would line up in the aisles after the game with the hope of getting an autograph and shaking the Iron Man's hand. 

It hasn't gotten to that point yet for Phil, but it's getting close.  Whenever Mickelson steps out of the scoring trailer at a PGA tournament, a deafening roar can be heard outside from fans desperate to get a picture or autograph.  They know he will come over and spend a decent amount of time signing. 

If you're worried about another wrist injury (half-kidding), he signs his John Hancock with his right hand, so that left wrist should be fine.