Mickelson at the 2009 FBR Open; little to cheer about
PGA Tour | 
Written by Michael C. Fricke
This is true even when Lefty misses the cut as our Michael C. Fricke reports from Scottsdale.
Following Phil as he slogged through the first two rounds of the FBR Open was like watching recent economic reports; you kept waiting for the turnaround but it just didn’t materialize. The few tidbits of positive economic news we receive are far outweighed by the negative. The same sporadic highs followed by more frequent downs were the norm for Phil on Thursday and Friday.
This was the first time I had the opportunity to see Phil play live. Obviously I would have preferred to witness a stronger outing, but I was not completely disappointed. The excitement he generated was palpable. That by itself was enough for me. And there were shots to cheer about, just not enough.
He manufactured some magical shots; they were just badly outnumbered by the indifferent. He managed to hit some quality drives; though more often than not he drove himself out of position and onto defense. His short game produced some magic; but that was in the form of a disappearing act. While it may have saved him on occasion, it more often deserted him.
Through this listless performance Phil did manage some humor. On Friday, at the par 5 thirteenth, he planted his drive into a waste area. His second caromed off a tree limb and came to rest in the right rough, some fifty yards from the pin. As he inspected his lie prior to his third stroke an optimistic spectator yelled “I’ve already put you down for a 4 on this hole Phil”. In reply, Phil deadpanned “You must not have watched me yesterday.” True to form he ended up chunking his pitch into the greenside bunker and took 5. Like everything else positive, the humorous moments were swallowed up by the depressing.
Still, for me personally the experience was memorable. To hear the crowds urge him on, even implore him to succeed was a testimony to his popularity. At times it seemed the crowd was collectively trying to will the ball into the hole (or the fairway). And make no mistake about it, Phil was the draw. Only the Villegas/Weir/Ogilvy threesome drew similar galleries, and then only after Phil had completed his second round.
Now it’s time for Phil, and for all of us who follow his every shot, to look towards his next tournament with that familiar optimism and anticipation. I for one am ready to hold a little breath every time he begins his backswing; it’s what makes watching Phil a thrill ride.
February 10th, 2009 at 2:56 am
I’m also a lefty, so it goes to say I pull for him.He’s got as much talent as Tiger, but he approaches it differently. Phil can’t continue with Dave Pelz and expect different results in my opinion. The putting stats atest to this. Phil doesn’t need a short game guru. He needs to go back to how he use to play,”BY FEEL”, not stats…Please get rid of pelz your already a master of the short game. Everyone knows this. Start working with Butch only, tone it back a hair, and play a little more conservative, and you will challenge number 1….Oh by the way, I’m sure Phil never reads comments from this site, but if he does I hope he will atleast try Jack Nicklauses alignment technique. I don’t think it has been his swing. I believe his alignment is to inconsistent. You can have the best of everything, but if your not aligned properly, your gonna hit it everywhere. ESPECIALLY THE DRIVER. I pray he reads this, because the world of golf needs Phil to seriously CHALLENGE Tiger.
February 13th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Phil has stuck with the Cameron putter too long. Sure, he is supporting a friend but he is not doing himself any good at all. He should try other putters such as a Ping or other successful putters. We hate to watch him in his current state and we so much want him to succeed.
February 15th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Quit thinkin’ so much. Just Play Golf. Please quit listening to all of your ‘experts’. I miss the old Phil. Yes, he was reckless, but he always made some miraculous shots & he was fun to watch.
Phil,
Breathe in; Breathe out. It’s not rocket science, you’re not fighting in Iraq, you’re playing golf. So, please just play!
February 17th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Dear Phil;
Drop the entourage and just play golf. If memory serves me right, Arnold Palmer once commented or perhaps told you face to face, continue to play with reckless abandon and you will win tournaments. That is the old Phil we love to watch play golf.
February 21st, 2009 at 5:06 am
Since I am also a lefthanded player I closely follow Phil’s game. However, I am really disapointed with his recent play. But what really upsets me is his dress. Please somebody tell him .. you don’t wear a white belt with black shoes and a black outfit. His white belt draws attention to his LARGE waist. And button-down collared shirt . . come on Phil. Amy, please check out his outfits before he gets to the course. GO Mike Weir!!
February 21st, 2009 at 10:35 am
Phil, I was a big fan of your’s when you lived in Arizona, but since Tiger turned pro, he’s distroyed you, David Duval and Ernie Els. He’s got into you guy’s head and neither one of you guy’s have ever been the same. And a word of advice, learn how to dress buddy! That white belt with black clothes does not look good!. Quit trying to dress Euro. Look at Tiger he always looks and dresses sharp!
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:08 am
go phil!
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:06 am
OMG Phil is awful today..:0/
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:14 am
Phil, congrats on the victory!!! Way to hang in there!!!!
February 24th, 2009 at 2:11 am
Phil
Great comback!!! I lost five pounds watching it though.
I agree with a lot of the comments above regarding the “old Phil” winning more tournaments, except for one aspect: the old Phil didn’t adjust his game when something (eg. his driver) wasn’t working. As proved on the last few holes on Sunday when he went to his 3 wood, he needs to do that more often as needed.
March 16th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
You like sucking the nigger’s cock, ey Ag? Your meaningless life can only continue thru your living thru your savior’s accomplishments. lil nigger woods hasn’t gotten into phil’s head, but he has gotten up yer mother’s smelly ass. That’s what was destroyed!