Justice? Tiger And Phil Won't Get To Experience A Greenbrier July Weekend

A few of you emailed to ask if Greenbrier founder Jim Justice gets a break on the purported appearance fees he paid to lure Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to the West Virginia resort (which looked incredible in the late evening light during Golf Channel's rain delay bonus coverage).

We'll never know what the arrangement was, but both legends have gone home early. Tom Watson, Geezer, has made the cut.

First, Steve Elling on Phil Mickelson's mini-slump heading into the Open Championship, where he nearly won last year.

Mickelson several times this year has admitted to being unable to shake himself from a lethargic state on the course, which certainly seems to be reflected in his play. He was looking for answers Friday, too.

For the second year in a row.

“I don't get it,” Mickelson said. “I certainly struggled a little bit on the greens both years, but nothing that should have led to these scores.”

Mickelson three-putted his first hole from 15 feet, missed another short one later in his front nine, and never really recovered. He also absorbed a one-shot penalty early when he dropped his ball on his marker, dislodging the coin.

"It doesn't feel like the parts are that far off," he said, "but I'm not putting them together."

It didn't help that Mickelson had a one-shot penalty for a fluke incident where he dropped his marker and it hit his ball. Jonathan Wall with the details.

Meanwhile a Golfweek.com staff report explains Tiger's woes: the putter.

Despite a shaky start, Tiger got it going over his final nine holes, but missed birdie putts at Nos. 13 and 15 proved costly as he fired a 1-under 69 to miss the cut at the Greenbrier Classic by a single shot.

"I didn't quite have it," Woods said. "I drove it really good today and I just did not have the feel for the distances. The ball was just going forever. I know we're at altitude, but I just couldn't get the ball hit pin high no matter what I did, and subsequently, I made some bogeys."

The second round highlights:

"This week marks a change. Appearance money [is being paid in the] U.S. but not in Europe."

Steve Elling looks at the possibility that appearance money is being paid in clever ways at the Greenbrier Classic and at events like the Zurich Classic.

He gets several tournament directors and agents to talk, and they are not pleased to see what's going on.

The tour uses a very narrow, if not convenient, definition of "appearance fee." If a player has deeper business dealings with a corporate entity beyond taking cash to play, then he's generally free to ink a personal-services deal for whatever dollar figure he can command. If this sounds mostly like semantics, well, the line forms here.

As one very high-profile international player put it on Tuesday, "This week marks a change. Appearance money [is being paid in the] U.S. but not in Europe."

After arriving Tuesday, Woods was not specifically asked if he was being compensated by Justice this week, though a local reporter did ask if Justice resorted to “pulling his arm” to get him there.

"What sold it to me was watching it on TV and seeing how players enjoyed it," Woods said unblinkingly.

Um, did he say "sold?"

Mickelson played at Greenbrier last year -- for two days. He missed the cut.

"I know for a fact that Phil got $1 million last year," one top-tier agent insisted, citing a figure that was echoed by two other tour-related sources.

Phil "Crushed" By Diamond's Resignation

Jason Sobel on Phil Mickelson's comments about Barclays CEO Bob Diamond's resignation while Diamond testified before Parliament.

Following the news conference, Mickelson told one Golf Channel insider that he felt Diamond was being made a “scapegoat” for the Libor scandal that surfaced four years ago. He did not disclose whether he has been in touch with Diamond since his resignation.

“Personally I’m crushed because I have really enjoyed my time with Bob,” Mickelson continued in the news conference. “I think the world of him as a person, as a CEO, and I think that these last 5-6 years that I’ve been associated with the bank, the time I’ve spent with him, I’ve really enjoyed and I’ve cherished and it’s been one of the most interesting parts of my career.”

Unfortunately, Diamond put things in writing that may prove problematic.

The good news?

Barclays no longer sponsors next week's Scottish Open. Boy would that have been awkward.

Friday Fun: "Phil Mickelson's Shower Caddy Recommends Sudsy 9-Iron"

From the folks at The Onion.

Phil On 670-Yard 16th: "It's definitely the hardest -- arguably the worst."

Steve Elling on Phil Mickelson's comments Tuesday about the lengthened 16th at Olympic (photo).

And I have to agree with this design assessment, something you can see in a video shot earlier today.

“With the tee back, it eliminates any options,” he said.

So much for strategy, he added.

“I would never say it's an unfair hole,” he said. “I just don't think it's a good hole.”

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

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

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

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.