Phil Mickelson Rumour

[krustyburger]

Anybody ever look at the world rankings anymore?

There's only 4 americans in the Top10 right now. Any further questions?

 

They weren't comparing American players against foreign players, they are comparing the PGA Tour to the European Tour. Out of the top 10, only Garcia and Rose would be considered European Tour players.

 

RCOA5GL

[SeattleGolfer66]

...and don't forget that one of his houses in San Diego is for sale.

[Freddy300]

I can't see a scenario where that is possible. Just look at the money difference between the two tours. Plus if he really did, I (not that he cares) would loose all respect for him because that would mean he doesn't want to play the best players in the world.

 

I don't see it happening at all money and competition reasons.

 

 

I think his sponsors and agent may be telling him he needs to become a "global brand' like Tiger or something. The non-US tourneys are paying more plus the exchange rate helps to get paid in Euros versus our current pesos. His sponsors see a lot of business opportunities overseas. I think everyone is talking about a middle class golf boom in China, Russia, Asia/India and maybe eastern Europe.

 

Callaway probably needs to become a global brand like Nike and Adidas/TM.

[Freddy300]

Maybe it's his cunning plan to get rid of Pelz.

Very true but remember that Pelz has just opened a short game academy in England!

 

It'd be worth a trip if you fancy using a driver (or an 11* 3 wood), 12 wedges and a putter :clapping:

 

 

LOL! An evil plot by us Americans to ruin as many UK golfers games as possible and to sell more wedges. :man_in_love:

[burleygolf]

Maybe it's his cunning plan to get rid of Pelz.

Very true but remember that Pelz has just opened a short game academy in England!

 

It'd be worth a trip if you fancy using a driver (or an 11* 3 wood), 12 wedges and a putter :clapping:

 

 

LOL! An evil plot by us Americans to ruin as many UK golfers games as possible and to sell more wedges. :man_in_love:

 

The question is what would promp him to do this?

 

1.) Money is better than our ecom.

2.) He can dominate

3.) He can still play in any PGA Tour event

4.) The Season is shorter

 

He is not the only player talking about doing this.

[victor2000]

Well, like one of the previous posters noted, his house in San Diego is for sale.......see link.

 

http://www.golf.com/golf/gallery/article/0...1821084,00.html

 

Maybe he wants his kids to be educated outside the US or maybe he wants his kids to see multiple cultures. I mean, if I had a G5 and 100's of millions of dollars, I would give it a thought. A home base in England would be really cool. I love London. One of my favorite places that I have visited.

 

With appearance fees, I think Phil would make more money in Europe than he would in the states. If he plays 10 events and gets $1,000,000 per event, that would be $10M. That is a good year in the US.

 

Just my $.02.

[Baller]

I can't see a scenario where that is possible. Just look at the money difference between the two tours. Plus if he really did, I (not that he cares) would loose all respect for him because that would mean he doesn't want to play the best players in the world.

 

I don't see it happening at all money and competition reasons.

The gap between the U.S and the European Tours is closing every year mate (talent and money).

 

The European Tour covers 4 continents and something like 25 countries all with varying course and weather conditions. If anything, the European Tour is the tougher test of golf.

 

I think Sam's exact words were "there's a rumour that Phil will be playing on the European Tour next year". As SJFP says, that may just mean that he's playing selective events next year but seeing as he already does that, I found the rumour quite interesting.

 

Phil could be the first of many; the declining dollar bill may start a new trend!

[mhj202]

Well, like one of the previous posters noted, his house in San Diego is for sale.......see link.

 

http://www.golf.com/golf/gallery/article/0...1821084,00.html

 

Maybe he wants his kids to be educated outside the US or maybe he wants his kids to see multiple cultures. I mean, if I had a G5 and 100's of millions of dollars, I would give it a thought. A home base in England would be really cool. I love London. One of my favorite places that I have visited.

 

With appearance fees, I think Phil would make more money in Europe than he would in the states. If he plays 10 events and gets $1,000,000 per event, that would be $10M. That is a good year in the US.

 

Just my $.02.

 

Phil has only put one of his two houses in San Diego up for sale-- and he moved out of the "for sale" house a little while ago and moved into a larger house in San Diego.

[mcdonoughball236]

Not to mention that the courses that are played in the Euro tour don't really fit his game. This would be a huge boost to the Euro tour if it happened though. Even if he didn't win, this would increase viewers.

 

Most courses on the European Tour are parkland courses. So what exactly wouldn't suit his game about that? I know links golf isn't his favorite, but except for the Dunhill Championship and The Open, no other links courses are played afaik.

 

I agree. Questioning whether or not certain courses will "suit his game" is ridiculous, this guy is the second best golfer on the planet right now. It's the same thing as when they say Augusta is too long for the short hitters, and Zach Johnson wins. They're paid to play for a reason.

[sandy]

Why would he play in Europe when he doesn't play very well on the type courses that are on the European Tour? Plus even bigger, you might want to check the ages of his kids as well as his and his wifes parents. I hardly see them uprooting the family and putting the kids in European schools... Maybe after the parents are gone and the kids are out of school he might do it, but that would put him closer to the Champions Tour age wise. Silly rumor that has absolutely no upside to it.

 

Plus he has at least a year and maybe more to take advantage of a Tigerless Tour in the PGA.

[GaijinGolfer]

I dont see Phil playing full time over in Europe. Like you guys said, family is too important to him for him to just pack up everything and either leave his family here in the states or expect them to travel around Europe with him.

I just dont see why he'd want to do something like that.

[Tmiller72]

Anybody ever look at the world rankings anymore?

There's only 4 americans in the Top10 right now. Any further questions?

 

More than any other country.

[villa]

I can't see a scenario where that is possible. Just look at the money difference between the two tours. Plus if he really did, I (not that he cares) would loose all respect for him because that would mean he doesn't want to play the best players in the world.

 

I don't see it happening at all money and competition reasons.

The gap between the U.S and the European Tours is closing every year mate (talent and money).

 

The European Tour covers 4 continents and something like 25 countries all with varying course and weather conditions. If anything, the European Tour is the tougher test of golf.

 

I think Sam's exact words were "there's a rumour that Phil will be playing on the European Tour next year". As SJFP says, that may just mean that he's playing selective events next year but seeing as he already does that, I found the rumour quite interesting.

 

 

So for clarification are you saying if you played a top 125 player match of the European Tour and PGA Tour (guys that have cards in Europe can play from there, Justin Rose etc) that they European Tour would win?

 

Or is a tougher test because they have to take their private jets longer distances? :)

 

I don't want to start a heated discussion, but I bet if you take out the top 20 players in the world golf rankings on each side of the pond, the PGA tour would really handle the Euro Tour. I guess my point is it maybe close at the top, but I believe the depth of field here is far superior.

As you say mate, I don't want this to turn into an argument about the two tours. To clarify the point I made, what I meant was that the European Tour is arguably the tougher test of golf, not the tougher test of competition. The World Rankings prove that (currently) the better players are playing on the PGA Tour but perhaps times are changing?

 

Granted, different States in the U.S have different weather and course conditions but the European Tour covers all corners of the globe and the climate and terrain can differ hugely each week.

 

Why would he play in Europe when he doesn't play very well on the type courses that are on the European Tour? Plus even bigger, you might want to check the ages of his kids as well as his and his wifes parents. I hardly see them uprooting the family and putting the kids in European schools... Maybe after the parents are gone and the kids are out of school he might do it, but that would put him closer to the Champions Tour age wise. Silly rumor that has absolutely no upside to it.

 

Plus he has at least a year and maybe more to take advantage of a Tigerless Tour in the PGA.

I'm not sure where these comments regarding the courses on the European Tour not suiting Phil are coming from? I've got no argument that links golf doesn't suit him but aside from the Open Championship, there's only one other tournament played on a links course each year. As I say, he won the Shanghai Open earlier this season.

 

I believe Phil (as well as a few others) took a slating from several members of the press a few years ago who said he shouldn't be considered so high up in the World Rankings as he only plays in one country. Since then, Phil's added several European Tour events in to his schedule and I think it's realistic that he may add a few more.

 

I can't speak for the logistical problems (family etc) but if this does happen and he decides to make a move, I can see the Mickelsons setting up home in the one of the tax havens scattered around Europe or the Middle East like the majority of Formula 1 drivers and a fair few European Tour players are doing.

[kemau]

however he did buy a new private jet a few weeks ago.....hmmm

 

i don't see it being too hard on him or his family to pick up for the euro tour for a few weeks at a time.......phil's a gambler and the bottom line to me is he sees dollar signs with the race to dubai starting next year. wouldn't surprise me at all to see him trying to qualify

[sandy]

I can't see a scenario where that is possible. Just look at the money difference between the two tours. Plus if he really did, I (not that he cares) would loose all respect for him because that would mean he doesn't want to play the best players in the world.

 

I don't see it happening at all money and competition reasons.

The gap between the U.S and the European Tours is closing every year mate (talent and money).

 

The European Tour covers 4 continents and something like 25 countries all with varying course and weather conditions. If anything, the European Tour is the tougher test of golf.

 

I think Sam's exact words were "there's a rumour that Phil will be playing on the European Tour next year". As SJFP says, that may just mean that he's playing selective events next year but seeing as he already does that, I found the rumour quite interesting.

 

 

So for clarification are you saying if you played a top 125 player match of the European Tour and PGA Tour (guys that have cards in Europe can play from there, Justin Rose etc) that they European Tour would win?

 

Or is a tougher test because they have to take their private jets longer distances? :)

 

I don't want to start a heated discussion, but I bet if you take out the top 20 players in the world golf rankings on each side of the pond, the PGA tour would really handle the Euro Tour. I guess my point is it maybe close at the top, but I believe the depth of field here is far superior.

As you say mate, I don't want this to turn into an argument about the two tours. To clarify the point I made, what I meant was that the European Tour is arguably the tougher test of golf, not the tougher test of competition. The World Rankings prove that (currently) the better players are playing on the PGA Tour but perhaps times are changing?

 

Granted, different States in the U.S have different weather and course conditions but the European Tour covers all corners of the globe and the climate and terrain can differ hugely each week.

 

Why would he play in Europe when he doesn't play very well on the type courses that are on the European Tour? Plus even bigger, you might want to check the ages of his kids as well as his and his wifes parents. I hardly see them uprooting the family and putting the kids in European schools... Maybe after the parents are gone and the kids are out of school he might do it, but that would put him closer to the Champions Tour age wise. Silly rumor that has absolutely no upside to it.

 

Plus he has at least a year and maybe more to take advantage of a Tigerless Tour in the PGA.

I'm not sure where these comments regarding the courses on the European Tour not suiting Phil are coming from? I've got no argument that links golf doesn't suit him but aside from the Open Championship, there's only one other tournament played on a links course each year. As I say, he won the Shanghai Open earlier this season.

 

I believe Phil (as well as a few others) took a slating from several members of the press a few years ago who said he shouldn't be considered so high up in the World Rankings as he only plays in one country. Since then, Phil's added several European Tour events in to his schedule and I think it's realistic that he may add a few more.

 

I can't speak for the logistical problems (family etc) but if this does happen and he decides to make a move, I can see the Mickelsons setting up home in the one of the tax havens scattered around Europe or the Middle East like the majority of Formula 1 drivers and a fair few European Tour players are doing.

 

 

Continue to name his great success' on the Forays out of the states. You've mentioned one. It isn't just links courses, he hasn't done all that well on the others either---particularly when compared to others. Phil is a perfect example (good and bad) of a born and bred CA boy and tax havens or not a San Diego type environment (don't mean weather and beachs) doesn't exist anywhere in Europe let alone the Middle East. Just common sense would tell you he isn't going to leave his aging parents behind or force them to live in Europe or the Middle East or have their grandchildren grow up thousands of miles away. Since the only reason that has been given so far is some dilbert of a journalist might have hinted he is ranked too high in the world for the amount of time he doesn't spend overseas. I look at this great ranking of non U.S. players and have a hard time seeing all the majors that group possess. Other than Ernie and VJ (who are obviously shot) they are mostly one time only if that...

 

It is much more likely a comment like that would spur Tiger to move. He also has much better reasons to move... Tax havens, European wife, Asian mother, 1/2 European kid, father gone---so really nothing to hold him here... But of course he is number 1 and plays all over the world so no journalist would make that comment to the all powerful El Tigre..

[villa]

I can't see a scenario where that is possible. Just look at the money difference between the two tours. Plus if he really did, I (not that he cares) would loose all respect for him because that would mean he doesn't want to play the best players in the world.

 

I don't see it happening at all money and competition reasons.

The gap between the U.S and the European Tours is closing every year mate (talent and money).

 

The European Tour covers 4 continents and something like 25 countries all with varying course and weather conditions. If anything, the European Tour is the tougher test of golf.

 

I think Sam's exact words were "there's a rumour that Phil will be playing on the European Tour next year". As SJFP says, that may just mean that he's playing selective events next year but seeing as he already does that, I found the rumour quite interesting.

 

 

So for clarification are you saying if you played a top 125 player match of the European Tour and PGA Tour (guys that have cards in Europe can play from there, Justin Rose etc) that they European Tour would win?

 

Or is a tougher test because they have to take their private jets longer distances? :)

 

I don't want to start a heated discussion, but I bet if you take out the top 20 players in the world golf rankings on each side of the pond, the PGA tour would really handle the Euro Tour. I guess my point is it maybe close at the top, but I believe the depth of field here is far superior.

As you say mate, I don't want this to turn into an argument about the two tours. To clarify the point I made, what I meant was that the European Tour is arguably the tougher test of golf, not the tougher test of competition. The World Rankings prove that (currently) the better players are playing on the PGA Tour but perhaps times are changing?

 

Granted, different States in the U.S have different weather and course conditions but the European Tour covers all corners of the globe and the climate and terrain can differ hugely each week.

 

Why would he play in Europe when he doesn't play very well on the type courses that are on the European Tour? Plus even bigger, you might want to check the ages of his kids as well as his and his wifes parents. I hardly see them uprooting the family and putting the kids in European schools... Maybe after the parents are gone and the kids are out of school he might do it, but that would put him closer to the Champions Tour age wise. Silly rumor that has absolutely no upside to it.

 

Plus he has at least a year and maybe more to take advantage of a Tigerless Tour in the PGA.

I'm not sure where these comments regarding the courses on the European Tour not suiting Phil are coming from? I've got no argument that links golf doesn't suit him but aside from the Open Championship, there's only one other tournament played on a links course each year. As I say, he won the Shanghai Open earlier this season.

 

I believe Phil (as well as a few others) took a slating from several members of the press a few years ago who said he shouldn't be considered so high up in the World Rankings as he only plays in one country. Since then, Phil's added several European Tour events in to his schedule and I think it's realistic that he may add a few more.

 

I can't speak for the logistical problems (family etc) but if this does happen and he decides to make a move, I can see the Mickelsons setting up home in the one of the tax havens scattered around Europe or the Middle East like the majority of Formula 1 drivers and a fair few European Tour players are doing.

 

 

Continue to name his great success' on the Forays out of the states. You've mentioned one. It isn't just links courses, he hasn't done all that well on the others either---particularly when compared to others. Phil is a perfect example (good and bad) of a born and bred CA boy and tax havens or not a San Diego type environment (don't mean weather and beachs) doesn't exist anywhere in Europe let alone the Middle East. Just common sense would tell you he isn't going to leave his aging parents behind or force them to live in Europe or the Middle East or have their grandchildren grow up thousands of miles away. Since the only reason that has been given so far is some dilbert of a journalist might have hinted he is ranked too high in the world for the amount of time he doesn't spend overseas. I look at this great ranking of non U.S. players and have a hard time seeing all the majors that group possess. Other than Ernie and VJ (who are obviously shot) they are mostly one time only if that...

 

It is much more likely a comment like that would spur Tiger to move. He also has much better reasons to move... Tax havens, European wife, Asian mother, 1/2 European kid, father gone---so really nothing to hold him here... But of course he is number 1 and plays all over the world so no journalist would make that comment to the all powerful El Tigre..

I didn't mean this to cause an argument mate.

 

I was simply passing on the rumour because I found it quite interesting. As far as the logistics are concerned, I think we've gathered that (with the aid of his private jet) Phil could comfortably play the minimum number of events on the European Tour in order to be considered a full member as opposed to him playing on it full time. I was merely speculating about him moving to a different country. As you say, if he has elderly parents in the States, it wouldn't seem possible.

 

I don't recall saying anywhere that the better players are on the European Tour though. I actually agree that the better players in the States. With changes in the economy that may change but as it stands, the tougher test of competition is on the PGA Tour. My point was that I believe the European Tour is the harder test of golf due to the different circumstances the players are faced with each week. Surely if you want to be considered the best player in the world (unless Phil is happy being #2), you'd want to prove that you can win around the world?

 

It wasn't just Phil who was picked out with those comments. Tiger has won all over the world and has nothing to prove to anyone. The articles were based on the world rankings and the fact that many of the players have never won outside of their own country.

 

Here's Phil's response after his Shanghai Open win:

 

"Winning such a prestigious international title was really important to me as I didn't enjoy reading that I hadn't won outside of the U.S. since 1993 every time I teed it up at the British Open," said Mickelson. "It was also fantastic to have my family there to enjoy the experience of visiting China and we certainly saw some amazing sights."

 

Original article - http://www.pga.com/2008/news/europeantour/...0908/index.html

[AUDuffer]

I'm guessing he may be interested in playing a few more Euro events so that he may qualify for the 'Race To Dubai' season-ending event.

 

I say you're right on with this...I had heard someone mention that for the PGA Tour guys who are close to qualifying for the Euro Tour they might play a couple more tourneys to be eligible for next year's big finale...can't say I blame him really

[krustyburger]

I'm guessing he may be interested in playing a few more Euro events so that he may qualify for the 'Race To Dubai' season-ending event.

 

I say you're right on with this...I had heard someone mention that for the PGA Tour guys who are close to qualifying for the Euro Tour they might play a couple more tourneys to be eligible for next year's big finale...can't say I blame him really

 

Playing a few more times is one thing, but the question asked was is he going to play the European Tour full time? The answer to that is no.

[HCEG1]

If true, he would be doing so to be eligible for the Race to Dubai. The '09 season climaxes with the World Dubai Championship, the world's richest golf tournament with an additional bonus pool of $10,000,000 to be shared by the top 15 players. Conceivably, Lefty could be standing over a putt for $3,000,000 on the 18th green on the Greg Norman designed 'Earth' course at Jumeirah Golf Estates next November.

 

He probably has a good idea how much Tiger has made (and will continue to make) from his association with Dubai. Think, in addition to prize money-(which is rumoured to be trebled for him) appearance money, bonuses, fuel paid for his jet, gifts, sweetners, etc, etc and, possibly being asked to design a golf course (like Tiger)

 

Ahhh, the lure of the greenback and black gold at $144 a barrell-Al Hamdulillah!!!!

[teal]

The mention of his family in a move to the Euro tour is interesting. But let's be honest - the golf season is the summer, he has access to world capable private air travel, what's more he has access to the kind of money it would take to bring his family along.

 

If he were to decide to golf the continent and not here in the US, I don't think it would be so hard for him to do. Kids are in school (in the US) during his off season - when he works on his game. He can golf now, in the summer when the kids are out of school. He can EASILY fly back and forth for when the kids do have obligations or he need to be with them.