Gone indefinitely: Phil Mickelson. (nsaplayer/Flickr)
PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONED Phil Mickelson in so many ways.
Why hasn’t Phil won more majors? Why has Lefty made so many seemingly bonehead decisions at critical moments in tournaments? Why can’t he hit more fairways? And, perhaps the ultimate question, why can’t this supremely talented player challenge Tiger Woods more often?
There is one thing about Phil Mickelson that can not be questioned. He is a family man first and foremost. Phil is second in the world golf rankings. Golf is second in his life. There’s a certain symmetry.
This is not to suggest that other players are not dedicated family men. They are. Yet it’s been more evident with Phil, partly because he is one of the world’s best golfers, but mostly because of the family choices he has made in full public view.
If necessary, Lefty would have left the 1999 U.S. Open to be with wife Amy to witness the birth of their first child, Amanda. Phil took breaks from the tour to be at home in San Diego so he could take his kids to school. Or to go trick-or-treating. Yes, trick-or-treating. This is as natural to Lefty as a flop shot with no green to work with.
So, when the news broke this week that Amy Mickelson has breast cancer and faces major surgery, it was no surprise that Phil announced he would suspend play on the PGA Tour indefinitely. That means there is no timeline. Lefty could be gone for a long while. He may miss the U.S. Open. Nobody knows.
I believe this: Phil won’t have any regrets about leaving golf. Not one. Amy and his family come first. The order of things was established long ago.
It reminds me of another family man who insists he’s rather ordinary. I read about him in the current issue of Reader’s Digest. His name is Denzel Washington.
“I am who I am − a regular guy with a great job,” Denzel said. “How I’m analyzed belongs to someone else. In a few minutes, I’ve got a kid’s game to go to, and then I’m taking our daughter to auditions. Today, that’s my job.”
We’ve only had the pleasure to see Phil Mickelson at one of his jobs. The other job is calling. And it will always be more important than golf.
−The Armchair Golfer
I agree with everything you expressed.
Fortunately Phil has the means to put his career on hiatus. This insidious disease knows no favorites though.
A very nice, well written piece. I’m not a big PM fan. I’ve wondered about all of those you mention and then some but there is no denying the place of family in his life. Hopefully they will all pull through this and be spared what Darren Clark had to endure. God speed Mickelsons.
Great piece…like Gregg Morris, I’m not a big PM fan but he has his act together and I’ve always thought that he was a credit to his profession. When the cheers fade away, Amy, hopefully, will still be there through the good times and the bad. We can only hope that they caught the disease in time.
Very well written piece here, Neil. Phil takes a lot of slack in the media, some of it deserved and some just plain ridiculous, but nobody can deny he has his priorities straight when it comes to his family and golf.
My prayers are with the Mickelson family.Get well soon Amy!
The Mickelson’s are a nice family that shows all of us what’s important in life. Family comes first.
I am fan of Mr. Mickelson and this is part of the reason. However, this is a terrible way for some to learn what an dedicated family man he really is.
Very well said Neil.
WAY too many of my friends have been hit by this terrible disease. Our prayers will continue for the Mickelson family.
I really appreciate everyone’s comments. I’m not surprised that even non-Phil fans have responded to Amy’s illness with such grace.