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.
Ron Sirak pays tribute to Dan Jenkins and there is no way you can pass up a column quoting the single greatest lede in the history of literature.
