Phil finishes in style at rain-shortened Scottish Open
European Tour | 
Written by BigRed
The first round of the 2011 Barclays Scottish Open was not pretty for Phil Mickelson. Sure, he shot a 73 in tough, windy-as-usual conditions and we all know that he’s not feeling well because of his arthritis and the fatigue brought on by the medication to treat it. We should just be happy that he’s still showing up and trying his best, right? It’s his soul that we love, not only his playing. Right?
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Well, yes, but…Phil moved on past his somewhat mediocre Thursday to shoot a 67 during the second round and a 69 for the third and final round of the weather delayed warm-up to the Open Championship next week. Forget the numbers. He still didn’t win the tournament. What he did do, though, is remind us all of the courageous spirit that obviously still dwells in his champion’s heart. In danger of missing the cut, Phil stepped up and turned the bogeys into pars and the pars into birdies and an eagle, then finished the tourney in grand style by scoring four straight birdies on holes 18 through 3.
Like I said, he didn’t win…but he sure looked good not winning! One of the hardest things I have had to do lately is admit that Phil’s arthritis has changed his game. His “feel” around the greens has suffered particularly and that used to be the strongest aspect of his performance in any tournament. Okay, so he’s not that young, fresh-faced kid we all fell in love with back in the nineties, but he’s still Phil “The Thrill” and I’m convinced that he’s got a lot more thrilling to do before he hangs up his pitching wedge. I’m excited about the Open Championship. Go Phil!!
By the way, the tournament had to be shortened to 54 holes after torrential rainfalls rendered the course unplayable and wiped out play on Friday. World number one Luke Donald managed a convincing four-stroke victory over Sweden’s Frederik Andersson Hed at Castle Stuart Golf Links, thereby confirming his ranking atop the Official World Golf Ranking and his position as the clear favorite for this week’s British Open.
July 27th, 2011 at 1:55 am
I have painful, stiff joints in my feet. What can I do to keep Phil out of my shoes?
September 18th, 2011 at 1:06 am
I love
phil, ive been a phil fan since well before you won at augusta and remain one this very hour. however im thinking that i dont see the fire in phil’s eye that once was there. phil had last week off and its odveious that he hasnt practiced while he was off and the same goes for most regular tour events he play’s. that’a why he’s so far behind after two rounds he needs those two rounds to get his game perculating and if he has it he plays better the last two than he did the first two, buts he’s to far behind to content. its what happened in the open, its what happened week before last when he shot 63 on sat. but he have needed a second 63 to win the thing. same thing this weeek he played horrable thrus and friday and better on sat. but of course theres no way that he can when even if he shot 60 on sun. he’s simply to far back. if there was a cut he would missed the cut. when he won in houston this year he play the same way a pair of 70’s then he went crazy on sat and sun. phil I love you brother, your the reason i watch golf now and your not in contention enough for them to show you very much’ of course i you were tiger they show that as hole getting out of the car. bottom line phil is lets be honest your phoning it in you still have what it take to win 3 to 5 times each year for the next 3 to 5 years why not go do it and get off your ass. your best fan in the world. hiram thompson in Augusta, Ga.