Think it's been a tough six months for Tiger Woods? It's been a rough year for Phil Mickelson.Mickelson's wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer last May. His mother, Mary, was diagnosed breast cancer in July. And in November, Tiger Woods drove his car into a tree and his life into the ground.
So, naturally in the week leading up to the Masters, the headlines surrounding the prestigious event were littered with the name "Tiger Woods." Sure, Tiger's name sells papers, but it was Mickelson who would end the week atop the leaderboard and with his name in the headlines, well deserved.
It was by far Mickelson's biggest career win to date and there seemed to be this overwhelming support among the crowds for him.
I mean, did you catch Phil's shot through the trees, over the creek, and onto the green? Shots like that, especially on Sunday at the Masters, are usually reserved for the man in red; It was very "Tiger-esque." But the way the week went, it was no surprise whatsoever to see Phil make such a clutch shot down the stretch.
It was then that I realized Lefty had the Masters all but locked up. I also began to realize the irony in the weekend.
Tiger's comeback parade was rained on by the one man you can pretty much call his rival. It was more than a number one against number three; it was a man that tarnished his marriage against the man who stood alongside his wife in an unimaginable situation.
Two very opposite stories for two even more opposite men. You couldn't write it any better. Yet, it was so refreshing. For once, it was Phil who stole the show. You could almost forget Tiger was even playing.
But for Tiger, it was one of his biggest weekends as well, and to his credit, he ended the tourney strong and finished only five strokes behind Lefty. But Mickelson, who earned his third green jacket Sunday, and fourth major title overall, will leave Augusta more accomplished than ever. He earned every bit of his Masters win and my respect forever.
Don't get me wrong. I love Tiger Woods as much as the next average golf fan. I think we're lucky to witness his greatness every time he picks up a club, but I think it's days like today that make us lucky to see other kinds of greatness.
We got to see Phil Mickelson, a guy who seems like he could be your neighbor, pull out a memorable victory during one of the hardest times of his young life. It was so easy to relate to.
At the end of the day, I'm just glad we weren't talking about Tiger anymore. We were talking about something greater. We were talking about a man who has always treated his wife with respect. Today, I became a Phil Mickelson fan. (Go ahead, you can barf now.)
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