Attention Steve Stricker:
You might want to give Phil Mickelson some serious consideration for the U.S. Ryder Cup team this fall.
Why?
Well, this new Phil Mickelson looks like a totally new version of the guy who now has 45 Tour wins and six major championships. Even more important — he beat everyone who will be an automatic guy on your team, Captain Stricker.
Stricker needs to be wondering about some of his so-called “stars.” Dustin Johnson has missed the cut in the last two major championships, looking horrible at both The Masters and PGA. He’s No. 1 in the world, doesn’t look like it right now. Same for Justin Thomas, who won The Players but hasn’t done anything since. He missed the cut at Kiawah. His putting was atrocious. Ditto for D.J., who can’t decide what putter to use.
There was another significant accomplishment last Sunday. European Ryder Cup captain Paddy Harrington finished in a tie for fourth with round of 71-73-72 then a 69 on Sunday, one of just 13 players who managed to break 70.
With his win, Phil can play in the PGA as long as he wants. He can already play in The Masters as long as he wants and can play in the Open Championship for another 10 years if he wants.
His PGA win got him into the U.S. Open for the next five years.
And then there’s the Ryder Cup.
Phil’s a great team room guy, a great playing partner and who on this year’s team has more experience? That’s a quick answer — no one.
So the reality of the situation is that Stricker should have Lefty near the top of his list, wherever that list is.
Seth Waugh Apologizes To Mickelson And Koepka (Sort of):
Did the crowd on the 18th hole Sunday at the PGA Championship get totally out-of-control?
You bet.
Phil Mickelson called it “un-nerving.” And he was right, some butt-head tried to grab his right arm as he was walking toward the green after hitting his second shot. Koepka related that he was getting tussled a bit and that’s easy to imagine. Phil hit first on the approach shots and the crowds just kept pushing forward, engulfing Koepka and his caddie.
Poor planning and the old “social distancing” was no where to be seen last week. The PGA “protocols” were simply lip service. The crowds were the largest of this season, looking to be pushing 15,000 on site.
The PGA of America’s “fake protocols” included for spectators to have: “no handshakes, fist bumps, autographs, photographs or selfies”; for people attending to “respect their (players’) space and watch your distance” and “avoid unnecessary touchpoints and large crowds”. Fans who had not been vaccinated were advised to wear masks when they could not be socially distant.
Yeah, right.
But Mickelson needed a security and police escort to make his way to the 18th green through the jam-packed crowd.
So your PGA of America President, Seth Waugh, gave this sort of apology/statement afterward:
“While we welcome enthusiastic fan engagement, we regret that a moment of high elation and pent-up emotion by spectators — briefly overwhelmed security and made two players and their caddies feel vulnerable. We always put player safety at the top of our list and are grateful order was restored.”
Brief? You have to be kidding, Seth.
Another Brooks – Bryson Spat:
This one was pretty ugly.
Brooks Koepka was being interviewed after his Sunday round by Todd Lewis from The Golf Channel and there ended up being a testy exchange with Bryson DeChambeau.
Brooks was asking about the greens and responded:
“I felt it difficult to read sometimes.”
Just then DeChambeau passed by, his spikes making noise and Bryson just blurted out:
“Just gotta start it on the right line.”
And that sent Koepka straight into his “totally pissed-off” mode.
After trying to continue the interview, Brooks said he lost his train of thought and then let loose with some world-class cursing:
“I f@#*@ing lost my train of thought, hearing that bull shit, f@#*@ing Christ,” Koepka raged.
Lewis then told him they will start over, following both the interruption from DeChambeau and Brooks’ reaction.
Koepka shrugged and said: “I don’t really care.”
Suffice to say they won’t be partners during Ryder Cup play in September.
Mickelson Heads Field At Colonial:
The Colonial is one of the longest-running events on the PGA Tour but it has been totally screwed over by the scheduling.
Good news for the folks in Ft. Worth is that PGA champ Phil Mickelson, a two-time winner of the tournament, is playing.
Jordan Spieth, who lives in Dallas, is a regular at Colonial Country Club and Justin Thomas, who had a short week at Kiawah, will take on Colonial Country Club.
Patrick Reed, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris are some of the other “name” players showing up this week.
Most of the world’s top-ranked players are skipping this week in favor of Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial tournament next week.
3 Comments
baxter cepeda
Brooks needs to control his temper.
Seems Bryson was just joking; but I can see how that struck a nerve because koepka was not exactly starting putts on line. I found myself more surprised at some of his makes then his misses.
Bryson had worst temper issues back when but credit to him for improving; which is helping his appearance and love from the people. And in turn his game. Of course Bryson is being held back with his foolish experimenting with overly aggressive golf. But he is a new man of late.
Brooks meanwhile seems to have something stuck where the sun don’t shine.
——
Sometimes crowds go wild. This was fittingly one of those times. Covid protocols have been disrespected in this country from day 1. But this is one of the few times it made sense. The people love Lefty, and who can blame them. He’s never had to learn to control his temper. Class act from amateur to oldest major champ ever.
baxter cepeda
Phil can really help this team in so many ways.
You highlight a great point Tom regarding how many top ranked players in their primes are struggling after big wins. But you still ride those fellas. And Phil should be no different.
The Ryder cup is for winners.
Winners is the best thing for the event. But most important big time winners help win Ryder Cups over consistency anyway.
Everyone focuses on who can putt, who won’t hit it in the trees; all the stuff that doesn’t matter nearly as much as who do we know can be clutch?
Phil can.
Tom Edrington
I trust Phil when the heat is on moreso than a lot of these younger players…