I would love to see Phil Mickelson do well. He is a great golfer, from Southern California, with Pac-10 ties. I even sport a black KPMG hat myself when I hit the links. But despite my well wishes (along with thousands of others who have been wishing him well), Mickelson is undeniably a choke artist. For years he has been in Tiger's shadow. At first, many blamed Phil for not stepping up. However, recently, many have taken the blame away from Phil (in the same way no one blames Sergio, Rory or Ernie) because we all realize Tiger is simply untameable.
But with Tiger's injury and Phil's impressive performances early on this season at Riviera (winning the Northern Trust Open by 3 strokes), in Scottsdale (losing in a playoff to J.B. Holmes at the FBR Open) and at the Colonial in Fort Worth (winning on a final putt), many thought this was Phil's time. I mean, Tiger was injured and the U.S. Open was practically in Phil's kitchen. Well, Torrey Pines rolled around and Tiger put on the best golf performance of all-time. Many people have discussed Tiger vs. Rocco, and Phil couldn't be happier because this story was so big that everyone seemingly forgot his home field implosion finishing at +6 with a quadruple bogey under his 3rd round score (and in four days, he only had one round under par on a course he knows better than anyone).
But lets assume that was just a Phil fluke mixed with some nerves since all the pressure was on his shoulders. I mean, consider that Tiger wasn't all that impressive himself...but with the leg injury and the amazing story of Rocco vs. Tiger (i.e. David vs. Goliath), everyone hails this as the best tournament ever.
Fast forward to Royal Birkdale, the site of this weeks British Open. Tiger is gone, the hottest golfer in the game (Kenny Perry) is eating sausage and cheese in Wisconsin, so this tournament is pressure free and the perfect stage for Phil...right? Think again, In today's opening round, Phil came out and shot a 79 to finish 9 over par and 11 shots behind the leader. One round into the British Open and Phil is already eliminated (barring a Tiger-like comeback). Can Phil just step up one time and meet the expectations of the fans at a tournament that means something? How can you be the world's second best golfer and not finish in the top 3 in any of the four major tournaments for over 2 years (finished 2nd in the '06 U.S. Open)? Come on Phil...we are all rooting for you, but if you don't give us a story to follow, we Southern Californians might have to move our allegiance to Anthony Kim and that's not something I am comfortable with doing just yet.
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