I just want to butt in here for a minute.....Did Mickelson tank this? Hardly. Am I a huge Mickelson fan? Not really, but I respect his ability to play at this level of golf, smile all the time and be happy he has a wife ( :hitit: ) and kids. Look at Tiger Woods right now....He gets engaged ( :hitit: ) and he can't keep up anymore. Is this coincidence? Probably, but if there is more to it, then that's all the more respect Phil should receive for being able to keep his priorities straight and balance both. (I'm the last guy to comment on this, as I'm a single guy, but I respect Phil as a person).
To take this conversation in a different direction, I think Todd Hamilton deserves all the credit in the world. Not too long ago I played this game competitively, and tried to make a career out of it as an assitant in pro shops and playing small mini tours. Well, now I push a pencil in an office every day in the small town where I grew up and play the game with a couple of beers for $10 nassaus with the boys after work and on weekends. Todd Hamilton sacrificed everything and played in Asia for a cheque because playing anywhere for a cheque was better than doing anything else. Believe me, he's right. He stood on the 18th tee Sunday at the British Open with the lead and needing a par. As I watched him on that tee, I wondered how he wasn't puking, because I think my knees would have been knocking so bad, I wouldn't have been vertical at that point, knowing that your whole life could change if you could do what you have been dreaming of doing. But, even after a couple of bad shots, he wanted it enough that he got the job done, and for that, credit should be given where credit is due.
Win a date with Todd Hamilton. Or win the Claret Jug, Todd Hamilton.
:toast: