Phil Baby!

Finally, after so many opportunities of almost wins and forever seeming to choke when the pressure to win was there, Phil Mickelson did it all today at the British Open.  Finally, his game came together with the right shots, the perfect putts, and the right mindset.  At last, my golf guy won!

I like Phil as a player and all around good guy.  He seems to stay out of the spotlight of controversy.  Yes, he wears his heart and emotions on his sleeve, as you know when he's disappointed with a flop he made or totally surprised with how good a shot was placed.  He doesn't shun his fans, he actually greets and talks with them.  He comes across genuinely humble and respectful.  Of course I could be wrong, but it seems that he is a devoted Dad to his girls and husband to his wife who has had to battle breast cancer.  

Perhaps, my fondness for him comes from his example of moderation and consistency.  Most of his golf career he has had to play in the shadow of Tiger Woods, a golfer like no other that essentially amped up the sport in ways that no one could imagine.  Although, Phil was still able to compete and have his share of victories, the game did not always play effortless for him.  I've heard it said that amnesia has to be part of being a professional player, because one has to completely wipe out past failures, missed shots and opportunities, and look ahead to the next game in order to succeed.  I think Phil must be an expert at that, especially with his history of such near losses, many in the last few holes of the game.  

Obviously, he demonstrates maturity as a player, he knows his game.  I like to hear him when he tells about his thinking of his game.  He knows the course, he calculates his shots, as well as the risks he takes.  He's not timid when it comes to certain shots, he trusts his swing.  I see where he embraces his game, it is what it is, there will be good days and bad days, but at the end of the day, the question left is did I do what I wanted to do?  Did I play the way I planned?  I think he probably is an expert in analyzing his game and figuring out what must be done to improve it.  Once again, he has shown that he is reliable and consistent, he may not always be on the Leaderboard, he may even have to go home early before the tournament is over, but you can count on him being in contention once again in the future.  I think the saying goes, "you can't keep a good man down . . ." 

So tomorrow when I set out to play golf, I will proudly list myself as Phil BB, otherwise known as Phil Baby.  I have repeatedly used that name as my logo as I compete against my husband.  It inspires me to practice, hang in there even when I am in the rough and sand, and above all not to give up. And who knows, maybe even I will win a round?

Congratulations, Phil Baby! And thanks for the inspiration to play well!