Monday, June 04, 2007

Phil Mickelson, is he one of us?

NYT features a story on Phil titled "Just Like Us." You should go read it.

One interesting passage:

"It is doubtless of small consolation to Mickelson, but the truth is that he is charming and appealing — lovable even — in a way that Woods never will be. And he’s more fun to watch. There’s something a little scary about the ferocity with which Tiger works — the concentration, the determination. He doesn’t need a gallery, you often feel, because his competitive fires are already burning with such intensity. He may not even notice that we’re there — except when some jerk snaps a picture at the wrong moment and then gets the death glance in return.

"Phil, on the other hand, seems to enjoy our presence — to feed on it — and he rewards our attention by being such an open book. You can tell how his round is going just by looking at him — the gleams of pleasure or else the sighs, the little head shakes. Always there’s the thrilling, unspoken question: Is the knucklehead going to emerge?"

What do you think -- is this comparison fair?

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14 Comments:

At 7:41 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

As a huge Tiger fan and a non-Phil phan, I'd actually say yes...at least as far as their behavior on the course. Off the course, Tiger is supposedly a nice, funny guy and Phil a bit aloof. But who really knows unless you know them in that context?

 
At 11:06 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like them both. Who really knows how they both are one-on-one. Public image is just that, public. Pro golf seems to be missing some of the individuality of the past and it is kinda nice nice to see some variety.

 
At 11:24 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Positive comments or any other form of attention directed towards any PGA Tour player other then Tiger Woods is counter-productive and is to be discouraged.

We only wanna know how he is doing it, why he is doing good or bad, why he is where he is(or is not) and when all else fails, talk about feats of fame from the past or future.

 
At 1:31 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

to 11:24

what fucking planet are you from? how dare you speak for anyone but yourself, you idiot

 
At 2:17 PM, Blogger Patricia said...

Lets see...4 comments for a rather provocative Phil/Tiger post and 47 comments for a Michelle Wie post. I guess it's obvious who generates the most interest. ;o)

 
At 2:36 PM, Anonymous Jimmy_Jack said...

Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Brittney Spears generate interest as well. So what's your point? If it's that greed, ignorance, and bad behavior trump respectability and sportsmanship, great point.

Really, Patricia, your wacked out perspective never ceases to amaze.

 
At 3:53 PM, Blogger Patricia said...

I'm absolutely not saying, "greed, ignorance, and bad behavior trump respectability and sportsmanship". I'm simply saying that Michelle Wie generates more reaction than Tiger/Phil. No need to read more into it than that. Unless you want to.

 
At 5:10 PM, Anonymous norvasc said...

I really don't know. This is a great player but i don't know what about his character. Anyway I hope that he will keep playing like this.

 
At 7:17 AM, Anonymous Jimmy_Jack said...

Disingenuous post, Patricia. Your previous comments rationalizing Ms. Wie's bad behavior have shown your moral relativistic roots. You probably hold Paris Hilton is high esteem as well.

 
At 11:10 AM, Blogger Trickster said...

Phil's smiles and waves to the crowd may come off as slightly disingenous, slightly forced, but only slightly. At least he's trying.

Tiger, on the other hand, doesn't try to relate to the crowd at all. In fact, he is obviously and frequently displeased by the fact that the crowd is there. And he shows no signs of softening with age, either. I'd say that it's becoming increasingly obvious that Tiger is a bit of a jerk.

 
At 11:11 AM, Blogger Trickster said...

to 1:31.

Umm, I think you didn't "get it." I thought 11:24 was pretty funny.

 
At 1:16 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Its good to see the likes of:

Boo Weekley
Nick Watney
Zack Johnson
Mark Wilson
Rory Sabbatini

winning on the PGA tour. When Tiger has his own scoring ticker on the bottom of the tv screen(when he is way back) something is wrong. Its good to see someone like Rory calling him out. Its about time!

Tim
www.golfdogs.com

 
At 7:43 AM, Blogger grip said...

Phil always seems like this faked personality, with some kind of Disney-approved appearance and behaviour.

But i guess that suits him in the USA. As a European, i never liked his attitude. He seems to be living the "American dream" and wants to show it to everyone watching him.

Same goes for Zach Johnson, who showed some brilliant "americanism" after his Masters win. Thanking God and who knows who or what else for his win. Oooohhh pleassseee ... 95% of the rest of the world turn their eyes away and feel ashamed in his place.
Only in America ... only in America...

It's all a little too fake for me. Sorry, hope i didn't insult anyone. But a sense of realism or a critical attitude to whatever you see or read might do you some good once in a wile.

 
At 10:10 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

what the hell are you talking about unless you know each one

 

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