Phil Mickelson’s popularity over the years

[Dr. Block]

You have to go back in time to when Phil emerged. If you think the Tour is homogenous now, you should have seen it back then. The tour back then was made up of such bland, uninteresting players. They could have all been the same guy more or less. Different players would win week to week and it really didn't excite anyone. The biggest thing that anyone could imagine was Curtis Strange winning back-to-back U.S. Opens. Jack and Arnie were no longer relevant and no one else had emerged to grab the public interest.

 

Here comes this kid with an aggressive game and a megawatt smile. He dresses sharp. He's a southpaw. He smiles and says all the right things. There's a bubbly blonde by his side. He was the golf pro from central casting. He was what the sport thought it needed until TW came along and showed them something even more special.

 

Over time we've learned more about him, and the veneer has been tarnished, but the people who love him still love him. He has sold as many tickets to Tour events as anyone except Tiger. If he's in your event, then it's suddenly a big event.

 

 

 

Welcome to another episode of Post Breakdown, by Ferguson

 

 

You have to go back in time to when Phil emerged.

I lived through it, therefore I can comment on it.

 

 

If you think the Tour is homogenous now, you should have seen it back then. The tour back then was made up of such bland, uninteresting players. They could have all been the same guy more or less. Different players would win week to week and it really didn't excite anyone. The biggest thing that anyone could imagine was Curtis Strange winning back-to-back U.S. Opens.

I disagree. Norman, Fred, Hoch, Faldo and Jumbo Ozaki couldn’t have been more different.

 

 

Jack and Arnie were no longer relevant and no one else had emerged to grab the public interest.

Jack won the American Masters in 1986. People were still talking about it in the early 90’s.

 

 

Here comes this kid with an aggressive game and a megawatt smile. He dresses sharp. He's a southpaw. He smiles and says all the right things. There's a bubbly blonde by his side. He was the golf pro from central casting.

Oh Gawd. I beg your pardon. He looked like any typical early 90’s preppy boy from California. In fact, he looked like a throwback from a John Hughes film. His look was typical. His goofiness was not appealing. You would have thought Gary McCord birthed him or had someone to do with his career.

 

 

 

He was what the sport thought it needed until TW came along and showed them something even more special.

Why would Tiger Woods have an impact on golf fans that were “seemingly” transfixed on the golf pro from central casting?

If Phil was “strong enough” to stand on his own, why did he fall back a few steps when Tiger joined the tour?

 

 

 

Over time we've learned more about him, and the veneer has been tarnished, but the people who love him still love him. He has sold as many tickets to Tour events as anyone except Tiger.

The more “we” have learned about him, including but not limited to, his alleged insider trading, unscrupulous betting, funding of his brother’s court cases, frivolous advertising campaigns and silly clothing deals to make a buck, the more the “true” person shines through.

 

 

If he's in your event, then it's suddenly a big event.

I disagree. Phil no longer draws the crowds or increases viewership. Fans can take it or leave it.

 

 

Wow.

 

I hope the next episode of Post Breakdown by Ferguson can be at least fractionally objective.

[Naptime]

I don't think Phil has haters because of his greatness. Phil is hardly the greatest even in his own generation. I think much of his criticism is from self inflicted wounds like chasing after his putt at Shinnecock. He looks like a total doofus there. See my earlier post before calling me a Phil hater.

[farmer]

I'm a Phil fan. Have followed him in tournaments, and he's the same off camera as he is in front of a camera. Interacts with spectators, particularly kids, signs everything, appreciates the fans. Of course he flies private, eats at the best places, stays in the nicest places, that's what rich people do. The commercials? Pay me the same money and I'll do them naked. A lot of people seem to think he's all fake, but in real life, that's not at all how he comes across.

[Outlier]

I'm a Phil fan. Have followed him in tournaments, and he's the same off camera as he is in front of a camera. Interacts with spectators, particularly kids, signs everything, appreciates the fans. Of course he flies private, eats at the best places, stays in the nicest places, that's what rich people do. The commercials? Pay me the same money and I'll do them naked. A lot of people seem to think he's all fake, but in real life, that's not at all how he comes across.

 

By definition though....if you are a fan, chances are you don't know him in "real life".

[ctmason_98]

The one that always confuses me was George Allen.

 

I mean may he Rest In Peace and all, but he was a good head coach for a few years, not necessarily a legend. And when you look at the coverage of him in the 70s he comes across as a cooky guy who had little depth and was otherwise a miserable bast—-.

 

And whether she meant to or not, his daughter’s book painted him as even MORE of a miserable bast—-.

 

So why the following from LA and Washington fans? Don’t get it.

 

Oh sorry, carry on.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

I don't know Phil in real life but as I said earlier, he's earned his fans and has been a fantastic ambassador to the game. He's always been one of the most accessible players and one of the last guys to stop signing for kids. How can someone not like that?

 

As for part of my admiration for Phil - I know a guy that was involved in business with Phil. This guy is just a regular guy with no power in the business involving Phil, essentially a helper. He worked with Phil numerous times over a multi-month period of time. He said Phil was an absolute and complete gentleman, friendly, kind and generous to everyone around. I asked if he felt any of it was phony?... He said no, he was exceptionally nice and didn't need to be.

[dlygrisse]

Phil is opinionated, he likes to speak his mind, sometimes it comes across as being a know-it-all. This rubs some people the wrong way.

 

Phil has put his foot in his mouth on many occasions over the years, personally I find it entertaining, it’s a lot better than Tigers standard canned Answers, or most people’s stock, gotta work hard” “that was a bad break”. Blah blah.

 

The haters pile on when there are issues with the stock trades, Ryder Cup Comments or firing his caddie. None of which was proven to be illegal or even immoral.

 

I want him to win a US Open so bad, but I also wanted to punch him in the forehead at Shinnecock. He did intentionally break a rule and take a penalty, which I thought was bush league.

 

In the end he has been one of the most entertaining athletes of the last 30 years, and even if you don’t root for him what is the worst he has done? There are athletes killing people, beating women, stealing, doing hard drugs, destroying families, cheating on wives, fathering children with multiple women at the same time.. Phil? He complains about the rough at the Ryder Cup.

 

Phil doesn’t move the needle like Tiger with non golf fans, but he does move it within the sport.

[farmer]

BD and DL excellent points!

[Tim Schoch]

Sorry, I think Phil is the creation of the media, as far as being likable. He’s stiff, awkward, lame smile, and was out of shape most of his career. He’s a nerd, not thrill. Thrill. Makes me laugh. Trevino snd Tiger are Thrilling. Phil is rather pedestrian. Lately, he has gotten just nutty and awkward in his limp antics. Give me Seve for personality and thills. Never got Phil’s hype at all. Still don’t. Sorry.

[puttingmatt]

I like Phil, and enjoy the swagger in his talk , walk, and game !

[bscinstnct]

Sorry, I think Phil is the creation of the media, as far as being likable. He’s stiff, awkward, lame smile, and was out of shape most of his career. He’s a nerd, not thrill. Thrill. Makes me laugh. Trevino snd Tiger are Thrilling. Phil is rather pedestrian. Lately, he has gotten just nutty and awkward in his limp antics. Give me Seve for personality and thills. Never got Phil’s hype at all. Still don’t. Sorry.

 

Yeah, but, Phil got 3 green jackets and a T Rex head in his garage.

 

We got an old can of Rust-Oleum and 50 mega-rolls of toilet paper.

 

; )

[Hawkeye77]

You have to go back in time to when Phil emerged. If you think the Tour is homogenous now, you should have seen it back then. The tour back then was made up of such bland, uninteresting players. They could have all been the same guy more or less. Different players would win week to week and it really didn't excite anyone. The biggest thing that anyone could imagine was Curtis Strange winning back-to-back U.S. Opens. Jack and Arnie were no longer relevant and no one else had emerged to grab the public interest.

 

Here comes this kid with an aggressive game and a megawatt smile. He dresses sharp. He's a southpaw. He smiles and says all the right things. There's a bubbly blonde by his side. He was the golf pro from central casting. He was what the sport thought it needed until TW came along and showed them something even more special.

 

Over time we've learned more about him, and the veneer has been tarnished, but the people who love him still love him. He has sold as many tickets to Tour events as anyone except Tiger. If he's in your event, then it's suddenly a big event.

 

 

 

Welcome to another episode of Post Breakdown, by Ferguson

 

 

You have to go back in time to when Phil emerged.

I lived through it, therefore I can comment on it.

 

 

If you think the Tour is homogenous now, you should have seen it back then. The tour back then was made up of such bland, uninteresting players. They could have all been the same guy more or less. Different players would win week to week and it really didn't excite anyone. The biggest thing that anyone could imagine was Curtis Strange winning back-to-back U.S. Opens.

I disagree. Norman, Fred, Hoch, Faldo and Jumbo Ozaki couldn’t have been more different.

 

 

Jack and Arnie were no longer relevant and no one else had emerged to grab the public interest.

Jack won the American Masters in 1986. People were still talking about it in the early 90’s.

 

 

Here comes this kid with an aggressive game and a megawatt smile. He dresses sharp. He's a southpaw. He smiles and says all the right things. There's a bubbly blonde by his side. He was the golf pro from central casting.

Oh Gawd. I beg your pardon. He looked like any typical early 90’s preppy boy from California. In fact, he looked like a throwback from a John Hughes film. His look was typical. His goofiness was not appealing. You would have thought Gary McCord birthed him or had someone to do with his career.

 

 

 

He was what the sport thought it needed until TW came along and showed them something even more special.

Why would Tiger Woods have an impact on golf fans that were “seemingly” transfixed on the golf pro from central casting?

If Phil was “strong enough” to stand on his own, why did he fall back a few steps when Tiger joined the tour?

 

 

 

Over time we've learned more about him, and the veneer has been tarnished, but the people who love him still love him. He has sold as many tickets to Tour events as anyone except Tiger.

The more “we” have learned about him, including but not limited to, his alleged insider trading, unscrupulous betting, funding of his brother’s court cases, frivolous advertising campaigns and silly clothing deals to make a buck, the more the “true” person shines through.

 

 

If he's in your event, then it's suddenly a big event.

I disagree. Phil no longer draws the crowds or increases viewership. Fans can take it or leave it.

 

 

Wow.

 

I hope the next episode of Post Breakdown by Ferguson can be at least fractionally objective.

 

It's his show!

[deadsolid...shank]

**********Spoiler Alert**********

 

For anyone relatively new here, or just unfamiliar with the situation.......rumor has it that Ferguson may not be Phil’s biggest fan!!

 

Cheers Fergie (as always, intended in good spirit)

[lowheel]

[Hankshank]

From one scandinavians perspective - back in the early 90’s when he started on the PGA tour the tournaments wasnt televised over here save larger tournaments, so I actually just saw him occasionally. Most info about him was from the (paper) newspapers. And he came across as a not particulary likeable young man. Rather snobbish, kind of with his nose in the air. I also had that impression of him during the early Tiger years. A very businesslike image, started a home page where he presented himself as a business opportunity. And then he said stuff about Tigers ”inferiour equipment” and such. I really didnt like Phil until that jump in the air at Augusta (to which he reffered as making a fool of himself). He has gradually presented a more popular image being chummy with everyone, but that was definitely not my impression of him in the early years. He was no Jordan.

 

As for his play, that has been rather the same over the years. Fantastic short game, wayward driver and taking risks. He was one of the bombers but there age has taken its toll.

 

[Hankshank]

You guys think someone with 42 PGA tour wins and 5 majors isn't going to be very popular?

A guy with 70+ victories an 14 majors was extremely un-popular over here for a couple of years, although that has gone away now. No-one can behave like a pr*ck and get away with it, no matter your accomplishments.

[dciccoritti]

Phil is opinionated, he likes to speak his mind, sometimes it comes across as being a know-it-all. This rubs some people the wrong way.

 

Phil has put his foot in his mouth on many occasions over the years, personally I find it entertaining, it's a lot better than Tigers standard canned Answers, or most people's stock, gotta work hard" "that was a bad break". Blah blah.

 

The haters pile on when there are issues with the stock trades, Ryder Cup Comments or firing his caddie. None of which was proven to be illegal or even immoral.

 

I want him to win a US Open so bad, but I also wanted to punch him in the forehead at Shinnecock. He did intentionally break a rule and take a penalty, which I thought was bush league.

 

In the end he has been one of the most entertaining athletes of the last 30 years, and even if you don't root for him what is the worst he has done? There are athletes killing people, beating women, stealing, doing hard drugs, destroying families, cheating on wives, fathering children with multiple women at the same time.. Phil? He complains about the rough at the Ryder Cup.

 

Phil doesn't move the needle like Tiger with non golf fans, but he does move it within the sport.

 

I see what you did there ;-) And although I agree that Phil is popular, move the needle he does not. I mean, the man never even reached number 1 in the world, even if only for a week...lol

 

Although talented, he never pushed himself like a true athlete does in an attempt to achieve what would seem like the impossible. Talent will take anyone to a certain point, but heart and determination will get you past that point. What's the point of cheering for someone that simply achieves what he or she's able to achieve? Me personally, I'm drawn to those that weren't satisfied simply reaching their potential, but determined to find a way to surpass it.

 

Tiger Woods since you inconspicuously brought him up, was also an easy 40 plus winner, however he found a way to get it to 80. Phil on the other hand bailed. And that's why Tiger is the ONLY one today that moves the needle. He surpassed his potential and everyone's expectations. He did what seemed to be the impossible. Bottom line is if you give anyone else on Tour, past or present the undeniable talent that Phil possesses, 95% of them would have taken it further than he did.

 

And that my friend is what you and a few others simply don't get, the real reason some athletes can pull in people who don't even watch their sport. It's the ability to take it further than expected.

 

This is why Rocky, although fictional, was so popular. The human race will always be wowed and inspired by those that find a way to take it past their limits with intangibles that are impossible to see and keep stats on.

 

2018 will be remembered for 2 things.

 

1. The Tiger Woods comeback with insurmountable obstacles that one could only hope. However not one complaint or excuse.

2. A healthy Phil Mickelson complaining about narrow fairways and rough. Much different than Justin Rose complaining about a pro-am set up a couple of years ago.

 

Can you see the difference? Also can you spot the difference between Justin's complaint and Phil's complaint? You know, Justin who actually Rose to number one in the world if only for a week. LOL :-)

[dciccoritti]

 

Phil never touched me in any way, shape or form. Just a golfer who couldn't take it past his tool set ;-) No where near the heart and determination of someone like Gary Player. And no where near as thin either...lol :-)

[Dano golf]

I think you really had to be a fan pre-Tiger and root for him for years to get his first major.

 

Phil was a big deal, and he won on tour while in college, he built a lot of fans pre Tiger but he got dwarfed in 1997. He was a lovable figure while searching for that first major and was very popular still. For me he started going downhill personality wise when he picked The Ravens to win the Super Bowl and hit. Since then he has portrayed himself as some sort of genius, always being the smartest guy in the room on any subject - subcutaneous fat, club technology, Ryder Cup captaincy, you name it and he knows it all.

 

How did he shed his large Man-Boobs? Silly question, because if anybody would know how,.......

[bscinstnct]

Through the years..

 

 

 

[dciccoritti]

Through the years..

 

 

 

 

Too funny. Well done :-)

[aleph]

Up until some point, maybe even this year, I would have called myself a fan. Do I like what he's selling (fan interaction, staying around to sign autographs, general "glad to be here" demeanor)? Yes. Do I think he's a super genuine person? Absolutely not. But who is?

 

What's gradually tarnished my view of him is the press antics, the final straw probably being the US Open debacle.

[Ferguson]

You have to go back in time to when Phil emerged. If you think the Tour is homogenous now, you should have seen it back then. The tour back then was made up of such bland, uninteresting players. They could have all been the same guy more or less. Different players would win week to week and it really didn't excite anyone. The biggest thing that anyone could imagine was Curtis Strange winning back-to-back U.S. Opens. Jack and Arnie were no longer relevant and no one else had emerged to grab the public interest.

 

Here comes this kid with an aggressive game and a megawatt smile. He dresses sharp. He's a southpaw. He smiles and says all the right things. There's a bubbly blonde by his side. He was the golf pro from central casting. He was what the sport thought it needed until TW came along and showed them something even more special.

 

Over time we've learned more about him, and the veneer has been tarnished, but the people who love him still love him. He has sold as many tickets to Tour events as anyone except Tiger. If he's in your event, then it's suddenly a big event.

 

 

 

Welcome to another episode of Post Breakdown, by Ferguson

 

 

You have to go back in time to when Phil emerged.

I lived through it, therefore I can comment on it.

 

 

If you think the Tour is homogenous now, you should have seen it back then. The tour back then was made up of such bland, uninteresting players. They could have all been the same guy more or less. Different players would win week to week and it really didn't excite anyone. The biggest thing that anyone could imagine was Curtis Strange winning back-to-back U.S. Opens.

I disagree. Norman, Fred, Hoch, Faldo and Jumbo Ozaki couldn't have been more different.

 

 

Jack and Arnie were no longer relevant and no one else had emerged to grab the public interest.

Jack won the American Masters in 1986. People were still talking about it in the early 90's.

 

 

Here comes this kid with an aggressive game and a megawatt smile. He dresses sharp. He's a southpaw. He smiles and says all the right things. There's a bubbly blonde by his side. He was the golf pro from central casting.

Oh Gawd. I beg your pardon. He looked like any typical early 90's preppy boy from California. In fact, he looked like a throwback from a John Hughes film. His look was typical. His goofiness was not appealing. You would have thought Gary McCord birthed him or had someone to do with his career.

 

 

 

He was what the sport thought it needed until TW came along and showed them something even more special.

Why would Tiger Woods have an impact on golf fans that were "seemingly" transfixed on the golf pro from central casting?

If Phil was "strong enough" to stand on his own, why did he fall back a few steps when Tiger joined the tour?

 

 

 

Over time we've learned more about him, and the veneer has been tarnished, but the people who love him still love him. He has sold as many tickets to Tour events as anyone except Tiger.

The more "we" have learned about him, including but not limited to, his alleged insider trading, unscrupulous betting, funding of his brother's court cases, frivolous advertising campaigns and silly clothing deals to make a buck, the more the "true" person shines through.

 

 

If he's in your event, then it's suddenly a big event.

I disagree. Phil no longer draws the crowds or increases viewership. Fans can take it or leave it.

 

 

Wow.

 

I hope the next episode of Post Breakdown by Ferguson can be at least fractionally objective.

 

It's his show!

 

 

That's right.

 

I'm working on theme music, and I'm trying to recruit a co-host for upcoming episodes.

 

 

The co-host should be a golfer, heavy drinker and pliant in nature. I just need him to sit there and say, "That much is true, Ferg."

[Dano golf]

The co-host should be a golfer, heavy drinker and pliant in nature. I just need him to sit there and say, "That much is true, Ferg."

 

 

Nice use of English. Who doesn't love someone who's acquiescent and yielding in nature, in our corner. I imagine Phill could hold court endlessly,

with pliant temperament Chap or two. I too prefer surrounding myself with ductile, rubbery fools.

[Golfjack]

Who are really the alternatives other than the obvious Tiger Woods.