Mark’s Kaddy Korner

Another week off but a lot going on and I tried to follow the Tiger parade through Augusta as much as possible. The cabin was still intact, Zach chased a few critters from the shed, and when we left on Thursday snow was collecting on the deck. Everywhere I went folks wanted to know my thoughts about Tiger. How would he finish at the Masters? What was going on in his personal life? Would Stevie keep his job? What did you think about the press conference on Monday?

I’ve always been in Tiger’s corner, his indiscretions confused and bothered me tremendously, but Tiger has always been my favorite and there wasn’t much time for Phil. This week proved me wrong. For the last four to five months we should have been focusing on Phil’s family struggles, Amy’s battle with cancer, and his supportive efforts. It kept him from playing world class golf but it moved him to number one in my book.

The phony has left Phil and family takes precedent over golf, the way it should be. Coming into Augusta there was only one top ten and he was way below the radar but should have made headlines. I apologize for some of the thoughts I’ve held about Phil over the years. Last week I believe my statement was “I’ve forgotten about Phil and so should you.” We never should have taken the Mickelson family from our thoughts and prayers; they deserve much more attention than Mr. Woods.

Driving to Florida over the weekend the old van finally collapsed and it screwed up my schedule for watching the Masters. The whole trip was planned with the Masters in mind and sitting along I-57 Saturday afternoon I missed what experts are calling the greatest half hour of golf. Eagle, eagle, birdie from Phil’s bag. Hopefully Amy witnessed the barrage from her Augusta bed because she has been the inspiration this week. Phil has placed his family first, now was his time, and like Jim Nance stated after the last birdie, “a win for the family.” There has been a focus on a family for awhile just the wrong one.

Sunday afternoon I found a cheap room in Valdosta, GA just in time to grab a rack of ribs, a cold beverage, and an afternoon of solitude watching the final round. Only my thoughts broke the solitude, embarrassing as they were. All these years I’ve bad mouthed Phil and now I was watching everything that is good about golf, family, and people. Phil and his family have been dealt a difficult hand, bringing nothing on themselves through reprehensible behavior, and like Phil dealt with the bad break on the second green they have handled it with a smile, a nod to the crowd, and moved on to the next challenge.

You’ve never heard cursing, there’s always time for autographs, and Phil always has time for charitable contributions as like most PGA players, he just likes to tell you about it a bit more. Phil’s tour friendships and admirers have grown the last few years, the FIGJAM moniker is melting, and he’s shedding that forced “look at me I’m a nice guy persona” he portrays to the galleries. It seems to be all natural these days, really, I’ve become a Phil fan.

His moment in the trees on thirteen Sunday was exciting for this caddy. I was screaming at the TV hoping “Bones” would talk some sense into him. Phil would have none of it, faced the challenge head on and hit the shot of his life, though he may have pulled it a touch. There was a subtle fist pump and when he missed the four-foot eagle putt there was a little disgust but he went about his business. Tom Watson would have been proud of the behavior maybe not the decision to go for broke.

Phil has won me over. The man, the golfer, and the person are what golf needs these days. Hopefully all goes well at home and Phil is able to play his best competitive golf for awhile. He and his family deserve a few more Majors.