"Phil Mickelson has quietly used his position to better the lives of a wide variety of people"

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Nice idea and execution by sometimes Phil Mickelson-buddy, sometimes-antagonist Alan Shipnuck in looking at Phil's unadvertised charitable endeavors with limited cooperation from Mickelson.

Mickelson, 41, has always enjoyed a deeply personal connection with his fans, thanks to his interaction on the course and the endless autographs he signs when the round is over. (He is also beloved in the service industry because of a penchant for dispensing $100 tips.) In the wake of Evan's harrowing delivery, Mickelson has become an agent of change, beginning with an eponymous foundation that does not solicit outside contributions. Mickelson is a science nerd and the son of an Air Force pilot, so supporting education and providing for military veterans have become twin passions. In recent years he has found other creative ways to give back. "I'm lucky to be in a position to help," Mickelson says, and he'd like to leave it at that. It is up to others to tell of his impact outside of golf.

Video: Phil Mickelson's World Golf Hall Of Fame Inductee Case

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You're getting to see Phil's exhibit case just about the same time he did. I got to eavesdrop on his proud parents talking a friend through the cases. These really are the highlight of the Hall of Fame. Having seen past exhibits, I'd say this year's inductees came through with the most impressive donations of memorabilia yet.

Alright, the first three videos, Phil Mickelson, 2012 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee.

Video 1.



Video 2.



Video 3.

 

 

Hall Of Fame Content With Inducting Players In Their Prime

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Garry Smits previews Monday's World Golf Hall of Fame ceremony. I'll be there and internet connection willing, posting some video Tweets along with ceremony Tweets as a stellar cast goes into the Hall.

(DVR alert: the Ceremony is at 6 p.m. ET and televised by Golf Channel at 10 p.m.)

To answer one last time the many people who've asked why Phil is going in now while still in his playing prime, Smits has the answer and the defiant stance from the Hall on its age minimum.

“Careers are going to be extended 10 or 12 years beyond what they used to,” Mickelson said. “I think it would be a good thing for the Hall [age] requirement to go to 50.”

Mickelson offered himself as an example. He recently won his 40th career victory at Pebble Beach, two months after his election to the Hall of Fame was announced.

However, World Golf Hall of Fame chief operating officer Jack Peter said there are no plans to consider increasing the age.

“We’re comfortable with 40 for players on the PGA Tour and International Tour ballots,” he said.

In profiling Mickelson for Phil's hometown San Diego Union Tribune, Tod Leonard writes:

If Tom Brady had five years remaining on his contract, would he be posing for a bust so they could get his hair just right in Canton? Would Derek Jeter be picking out just the perfect piece of lumber to donate for the display case in Cooperstown?

The answer, of course, is no. Premier athletes don’t want to think about honors and accolades when they’re in the prime of their competitive careers, still trying to hold that mental edge over the next great player.

And that’s what has Phil feeling a little perplexed. The San Diegan has all the credentials he needs to enter the Hall; he just doesn’t want to spend too much time patting himself on the back, because he figures there are many tournaments to play, untold titles to be won.

Johnny: In California Phil's Won More Than "Even Me"

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Previewing the U.S. Open at Olympic where he played as an amateur and will manage to work himself into the conversation at least 4391 times during the telecasts this year, Johnny Miller tells Golf Magazine he likes Phil Mickelson's chances this year.

Of course, it's because of a tip Johnny gave Phil.

PHIL MICKELSON: This might be Phil's last chance to win a U.S. Open. He's won more in California than maybe anyone, even me. He wants that first U.S. Open so much, and you know he'll be prepared. And who knows -- after I gave him my tip about the "reverse-bank" theory, maybe that'll put him over the top!

Phil's Fabulous Fifteenth Flop

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John Strege with media notes and the telecast highlight, Phil Mickelson's 15th hole flop shot Saturday.

"He has to think that's not the option," CBS' Nick Faldo said, "but saying that, that means Phil will go for it."

Indeed, Phil the Thrill had his 64-degree wedge in hand, laid it wide open and hit a shot that might come to define this Masters, should he win on Sunday.

"No one hits that shot. No one," CBS' David Feherty said. "If this doesn't make every hair on your body stand up you need therapy. Nobody but Mickelson even thinks about trying a shot like that."

Ron Sirak wrote about Phil's back nine 30 and the shot:

Lefty picked up another birdie on No. 15, hitting the kind of flop shot only he can hit. "There was a lot of risk in that shot," Mickelson said about hitting back toward the water. "But that's why I put the 64-degree wedge in the bag to hit that shot off these tights lies."

In lieu of official highlights, here is a version of it...

Reason #16,239 To Do Something About The Ball: Phil And Colonial Edition

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Bill Nichols reports that Phil Mickelson has permanently changed up his Texas schedule, dropping Colonial for the Byron Nelson.

It's a golf architecture-driven decision.

Designer Keith Foster was brought in to renovate and move fairway bunkers that had grown obsolete. He changed the pitch of some landing areas to keep pros from hitting downslopes that were never supposed to be reached from the tee.

``With the redesign, I’m afraid I won’t be playing it anymore,’’ Mickelson said. ``It doesn’t give me a power advantage. I know all the shotmakers will be there every year. But I don’t see any of the long hitters playing there anymore. There’s no decision making now; it’s all irons, irons, irons.’’

The rationale is certainly understandable if you are trying to get ready for a U.S. Open, or as he states, you value your power advantage. Though he may be hitting his fair share of irons off the tees at Olympic Club!

2012 Northern Trust Open, Round 1 This And That

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First round leader Phil Mickelson (click image to enlarge)A fantastic day for watching golf, not so fun if you had to play Riviera in the steady 15 m.p.h winds that gusted to 30 at times until 2:45 p.m. Though Phil Mickelson's opening 66 was impressive on many levels, Jonathan Byrd's morning 68 during the worst winds stands out as the day's most impressive round.

Random observations from the day:

- Mickelson is on cruise control. He appears to be visualizing shots before pulling the trigger and looks fully engaged in the task at hand. He's putting beautifully and managing the course to perfection, with the only blemish a missed up-and-down opportunity from above the 16th hole. With the wind expected to be better Friday morning he's poised to take advantage of a favorable draw. His chip-in on 18 at dusk was nice but it was the driver off the deck at 11 that was most impressive. He talked about it after the round.

- It was a masterful course setup job by the PGA Tour rules staff and agronomist, who only ordered the greens to be single cut. Normally there is a double cut and roll. Had they pushed forward with normal preparation the greens would have become unputtable during the dry morning winds. Tees and holes were well located to take advantage of the non-prevailing wind, with only the 5th hole location standing out as questionable. But that may more a product of the abominable green complex renovation than it is a statement about setup.

The 10th green flag around 7:45 am (click image to enlarge)- Amateurs Patrick Cantlay (78) and Jordan Spieth (76) understandably struggled in the morning winds. But both exude supreme confidence that never comes across as cockiness. Spieth looked more confident in his game than playing partners Ryo Ishikawa and Danny Lee, who each appeared to be obsessing way too much over mechanics.

-Media Lunch Report: Spinach Salmon or Tandori Chicken, Spinach and Strawberry salad with a raspberry vinaigrette, white Jasmine Rice ("sounds like a Tiger mistress" as Strege so infamously branded it two years ago) and a home run mystery cake/almond topped bar that managed to top the already stellar cookies. We have it rough here.

- You never appreciate the value of standards bearers until they aren't there. Because of the high wind warning, tournament officials did not send the scoreboard holding volunteers during afternoon play. I will remember to hug one tomorrow.

Mickelson tees off at the 11th (click to enlarge)- The PGA Tour's finest will not, under any circumstance, lay up on the par-4 10th. No matter how windy, no matter how wise a play it was today playing downwind with the green on edge with the hole cut center-back-left, even though the percentages reward those laying up. For the record, here is the honor roll of those who layed-up short left to open up the best angle of attack, with their scores: Brandt Jobe (3), Justin Leonard (3), Tim Clark (4), John Merrick (4), Paul Goydos (4). Funny thing, no one had made 5 laying up left yet.

- The first groups out took five hours which not only guaranteed the round would not finish, but 30 have yet to finish the first round and will resume at 7 a.m. Friday. Sadly, a 144 player field is just no longer possible with today's pace of play.

From ShotLink (the grays have not finished the hole due to darkness):

And Phil driving the 10th today: