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.

Holed Bunker Shot Wins Stadion Classic: "I told you he'd make it."

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Hudson Swafford used his local knowledge as a former Georgia golfer to win the Stadion Classic at UGA's home course. Bulldog Russell Henley won last year as an amateur.

Even better, Swafford holed out a bunker shot to win the title, and his caddie claims to have called the winning shot in this video caught by a tournament intern (just a reminder to the PGA Tour Video Police Department who might not have noticed the film is posted on an official account).

Rory: ''I don't think I hit it any longer, I just don't need to try and hit it."

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Doug Ferguson files many third round Wells Fargo Championship notes including this one on the trim and more athletic looking Rory McIlroy, who has been intensely working the weights and it shows.

McIlroy hit an incredible drive on the par-4 16th, blistering one 377 yards down the right side of the fairway, leaving him with only 102 yards to the hole. But he finished with a bogey after three-putting from 15 feet.

McIlroy attributes his newfound strength to an intense weight program.

''I don't think I hit it any longer, I just don't need to try and hit it,'' McIlroy said. ''So when I hit it, it just goes. I don't have to go after it quite as much.''

Fan On Tiger's Stolen Ball: “I know for a fact that I did not see anybody who rushed away"

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You'll be shocked...SHOCKED...to learn that a fan, Chris Kroeger talking to Steve Elling, is disputing the notion someone might have picked up Tiger's ball on Friday at the Wells Fargo Championship.

Kroeger's morning-after version is pretty convincing.

He said he was standing on the left side of the putting green on the fifth hole when Woods sent his approach from 261 yards deep into the trees.

“It came behind us, over our heads,” he said. “I heard nothing but leaves, and not any clean contact with any trees. I don't think the ball kicked out and I did not see any ball on the ground.”

He estimated that perhaps 50 people were in the area when the shot was struck, and they began searching for the ball immediately. As the rest of the Woods gallery caught up, it swelled to at least 300, Kroeger said. Marshals began moving fans back as Russell arrived and asked spectators what they had seen.

Two male fans, including one very vocal man, insisted they had seen the ball on the ground. Trouble is, Kroeger is pretty sure they were not among the original throng of fans who were greenside when the shot was hit in the first place.

“I had never even seen that guy,” Kroeger said.