Mickelson stumbles on last hole again, loses in playoff to Howell III
Phil Mickelson's new driver failed him on the final hole, bringing back shades of Winged Foot. Phil's tee shot went short left on the final hole, leaving a long approach from a sidehill lie. Phil's approach ended up short and he bogeyed the hole to fall back into a tie with Charles Howell III.
In the playoff, Phil's first tee shot went left again on the 18th hole, but he managed to save par. On the third playoff hole, Phil flubbed his putt from off the green and ended up bogeying. Charles Howell III sunk his par for a well-earned victory after a final round 65. Way to go, Chuck.
12 Comments:
I think you overstate the mistakes by Phil on this one. Phil played very well all day. The two shots on 17 were awesome, and the chip with the hybrid on 10 was simply one of the best shots I've ever seen from the fringe. And on 18 his first drive was only a touch wide, and he made the wrong decision on his second shot, which he didn't make the second time. His drive the second time on 18 was actually pretty poor, but got lucky again (like on 12? when he hit the tree and the ball ends-up 20 ft under the hole).
I thought it was a really well played tournament. Howell won-it more than Lefty blew-it for sure. Good for him too!
I don't want to overdramatize it, but the 18th hole driver was not a good shot. In fact, the left/slice driver snuck up on Phil a few holes back, but Phil got away with it.
You're right that Phil was having a good day until then. But his driver did fail him down the stretch. There's no way to explain the bogey on 18, other than his short, left drive. On the playoff hole, same thing happened again. Howell III outdrove Mickelson by 75 yards! Phil got tight, and the bad habits crept back in.
doesnt matter whether it was bad judgment on phil mickelson's part or not, it's the law of averages, patterns always play out, and mickelson just isnt tiger, not as sure of a winner on sunday afternoon with the lead, it will ALWAYS be this way, always
I bet he and Amy are in Vegas tonight gamblin away their blues. Mom's watchin the kids.He really hasnt learned since Winged Foot.
They can afford it!!
thanks for being a classic phil apologist, caly. guess your west coast brother blew another one. you're hilarious.
So much for the statements from Phil regarding how he has figured out the Driver and it will be GOOD for the rest of his career, yada.yada.yada.
Looked like the same old story...
There is nothing to be ashamed of in being the second best golfer of his era
www.usgolfsticks.com
As far as I'm concerned, Phil has redeemed himself permanently with his 3 major victories. No one can question whether or not he has the guts and determination to win a big tournament.
Still, his overall ratio of talent to guts is lousy. IOW, he has left alot of wins on the table due to a second rate competitive personality. To put it another way, he'll always be my favorite to lap the field Thursday at the Bell South Classic, but I'd take Chris DeMarco every time on Sunday at a big tournament.
Compare Phil to Tiger? You've got to be kidding. Never has an athelete stood so alone at the top of his sport as Tiger Woods.
"thanks for being a classic phil apologist, caly. guess your west coast brother blew another one. you're hilarious."
Couldn't be farther from the truth! I could never be characterized as a Fhil Fan.....ever! I don't like the guy personally. I think he's arrogant and smug, and I'm tired of seeing his kids every time he wins. I think he lacks the internal greatness to actually get in shape, and to stop making excuses every time he has a problem.
I am a golf fan though, and I know good golf, and you my friend do not! Simple as that. Mickelson hit quality shot after quality shot yesterday. There were a few loose ones, but many more good ones. Like in regulation, the tee shots on 14 and 16 were ridiculously good! The first two on 17 were amazing with the tournament on the line, and the third shot on 18 was actually a very good shot,but unlucky that it spun. When I saw the ball land I thought it was going to release and slide all the down to the hole....and I was rooting for Charlie, so I was glad when it checked.
No, there was no choking on Phil THIS TIME! If your looking for some chokers, look no farther than Els, Harrington and Beem. Ernie looked like he should be back on the Nationwide Tour!
It's hard to get rid of bad habits. Phil's got a very long swing and his lower body sometimes get ahead of his shoulders, especially on the driver. I imagine when the entire tournament is on the line, that nerves start creeping in, along with the bad habits.
All in all, though, he has improved his driver and he at least recognizes he has a major problem with it. How much does Mickelson pay Rick Smith b/c Smith should have addressed this problem a long time ago? I mean how can you be a swing coach and not recognize the huge flaw in Phil's swing.
Smith's rep on Tour is that he's the most overrated of all the gurus.
Hey Now, the guy can't win'em all. He's still got one of the best record on Tour in history. He's just trapped in teh Tiger era. Plus Charles Howell is no slouch and he is on the verge of making a big move to the world's elite.
Post a Comment
<< Home