Mickelson Still Needs to Cross Major Bridge
RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. — Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods were already on the driving range in preparation for Monday's made-for-TV golf event when the Lovable Loser showed up and received a rousing ovation from the millionaires and their guests in attendance.
This is Phil Mickelson's home course, "The Bridges" making the Lovable Loser an honorary member and waiving the $325,000 membership fee, I presume so the folks here get the chance to play him for money, or find out what football teams he's betting on each week.
But even beyond The Bridges something strange has happened in the last year or so: Mickelson graduated from underachiever to underdog. So everybody seems to love Mickelson these days like they love a three-legged dog trying to chase the family cat.
And as you know, the Lovable Loser can be so cute, tipping his visor and tossing a sheepish grin at everyone rooting for him to overcome himself, but then he has to walk to the first tee, and the jokes begin.
"I think just before Phil tees off," said comedian George Lopez, who played The Bridges earlier in the day, "I'll walk up to him and whisper -- 'It's a major.' "
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THIS FIFTH edition of reality-TV golf was supposed to feature the three best players in the world -- Woods, Mickelson and Els -- and the punk that Tiger dislikes even more than Mickelson, the fist-pumping Garcia.
Mickelson, though, is no longer one of the three best players in the world. He isn't even in the top 10, ranked No. 11 now.
He is 0 for 45 in attempts to win a major tournament, and was armed for this event, a day after finishing in a tie for 59th place in the Greater Hartford Open, with only home-course knowledge.
Garcia made it clear at one point he didn't want any of that course insight, even though they were playing partners. Now you begin to understand why Tiger doesn't care much for the little whippersnapper.
Throw in three years ago, when Garcia defeated an ill Woods in the "Battle at Bighorn," in Palm Desert and reacted like he had just won a Masters playoff, and Woods had every competitive reason to put on a good show.
It didn't happen until the seventh and eighth holes, with Woods posting consecutive birdies to cut a three-up lead for Mickelson-Garcia to a one-hole advantage.
Nothing much happened on the next seven holes with Mickelson-Garcia remaining one-up, although Woods hit a three iron from a bunker 241 yards out within 18 feet of the pin. He then putted for an eagle and missed.
