A No-Mickelson Masters: Phil Remains At Home, In Hiding

Fred Ridley and the rest of the powers-that-be at the stately Augusta National Golf Club are breathing a sigh of relief.

Phil Mickelson won’t be at the 2022 Masters in any shape or form — not even the Champions Dinner.

Mickelson’s name was removed this week from the list to competitors — and to do that, said competitor typically has to place a call to Augusta National and request removal.  Quick note — Tiger Woods’ name is still on the list of those scheduled to compete.  Oddly enough, The Great Stiney (aka Tiger’s management henchman, Mark Steinberg) or one of The Great Stiney’s PR hacks, said that it’s too soon for El Tigre to make the decision on his 2022 Masters status.  Seriously?  We’re basically 16 days until the first ball is in the air at Augusta National.

Anyway, back to Lefty.  Mickelson will be missing that drive down Magnolia Lane for the first time since 1995.  Mickelson’s decision prevents what would otherwise be a HUGE distraction from the revered first major of the season.  There’s no doubt a bit of relief among the broadcast team from CBS — no need for tap-dancing around Mickelson if he had decided to show up.

Same for those attending the Champions Dinner.  They can partake in Hideki Matsuyama’s menu without the awkwardness of having Mickelson at the table.  No doubt the older players were probably pretty frosted the the revelation that Mickelson was conspiring with the Saudis against the PGA Tour.

Perhaps a couple of guys might have loved to stick a fork in Lefty if he were at the Champions Dinner.  How about Tiger Woods — he could ask Lefty how it felt to finish second in the PIP sweepstakes.  And then there’s Vijay Singh — the stinkin’ Veej always loves to hammer Mickelson.  “Hey Lefty — how’s your season going?”

Sorry Vijay.  Sorry Tiger.

No Lefty — and for Fred and the gang wearing those Green Jackets — that’s most comforting.

Bryson DeChambeau’s Injury?  Ping-Pong?

Who knew ping-pong was a dangerous sport?

Well, it seems that’s how Bryson DeChambeau injured his left wrist.

The hand injury, to be exact was a fractured hamate bone in his left hand and later, he suffered a torn labrum in his left hip.  DeChambeau deflected the consensus that his injury came as a result of his speed training.  Instead, he blamed ping-pong for the wrist fracture.

“People are going to say it’s off of speed training and all that and, sure, some of the things have been a part of that, just abuse and working really, really hard,” he said. “But at the same time, I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. I’ve learned so much about my body as time has gone on and learned how to manage things and how important rest is.”

Bryson is on hand in Austin for the Dell Match Play.

“No expectations. A great week is being here,” DeChambeau said.