Have Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson ever been further apart?
If what happened at the Masters three weeks ago didn't bring the differences in their lives into sharp enough focus, what happened over the last two days at Quail Hollow should have. They are worlds apart right now.
Mickelson is on an emotional and professional high. That doesn't diminish the reality of what his family is facing with his wife, Amy, and mother, Mary, both battling breast cancer. That is at the center of Mickelson's life but he has worked hard -- and understandably -- to keep that out of the public view.
As a golfer, Mickelson just won the Masters and outpouring of emotional goodwill. He is beloved in a way Woods never has been. It's always been a matter of personalities where they're concerned but now it has been magnified.
Mickelson has been sick since he arrived in Charlotte but he's still played himself within two shots of the lead and he's talking like a man who thinks he's going to win. He should.
Woods, meanwhile, looked like a lost soul at Quail Hollow. We can only imagine what's going on in his head these days. I once asked him what it would sound like if we could go inside his head on the course. He answered, "It's quiet."
It can't be quiet right now.
His game is a ragged mess. He couldn't figure out on Thursday which way his shots were going to fly then on Friday, his normally reliable short game betrayed him. He chipped it across the green at No. 7 and almost into a creek. Seven holes later, Woods hit a flop shot across the green and into a pond. One hole later, he four-putted.
Maybe he came back too soon. Maybe he's really bothered by what's happening in his personal life.
Maybe what we saw Thursday and especially Friday was the culmination of all the pressure that has built up on Woods over these past few months. The result was a 79 that could have been worse and a weekend at home.
Woods joked he'll spend his off time watching the tournament "to see how it's done."
What he may see is Mickelson winning another tournament. Wonder how that would feel?
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Mickelson Improving But Still Feels Badly
As Phil Mickelson was walking toward the first tee Thursday to start the Quail Hollow Championship, he was still feeling bad about Wednesday.
Not about his queasy stomach, which still wasn't feeling all that great on Thursday, but about leaving his pro-am partners to play their last 12 holes with Jonathan Byrd, a sudden fill-in when Mickelson couldn't keep going.
"I've got to make it up to them," Mickelson said before going to the tee.
He'll find a way. It's how Mickelson is. That doesn't mean he'll play 18 holes with the guys he left but he won't forget about them.
After Tiger Woods shot 74 Thursday morning, Mickelson's afternon 2-under par 70 was a bonus for the tournament, which didn't want its two top stars to be fighting to make the cut on Friday. Mickelson responded, playing solid golf despite not being at peak condition.
Mickelson walked slowly around Quail Hollow and began running out of energy late in his round. He got 2 1/2 bags of IV fluids on Wednesday and he felt his energy flag climbing the hill on No. 15.
Of course, the par-3 17th hole got him again. He three-putted for a bogey there. That hole has tormented Mickelson through the years but at least he kept his tee shot out of the water there. Then he bogeyed the 18th hole. It could have been better but he wasn't complaining.
"I'll take it," Mickelson said.
Being sick isn't all bad in Mickelson's case. As he pointed out, the last two times he's gotten sick and fainted at tournaments, he's won. Strangely, it's a good omen, he said.
Maybe that's why he likes his chances this weekend.
Not about his queasy stomach, which still wasn't feeling all that great on Thursday, but about leaving his pro-am partners to play their last 12 holes with Jonathan Byrd, a sudden fill-in when Mickelson couldn't keep going.
"I've got to make it up to them," Mickelson said before going to the tee.
He'll find a way. It's how Mickelson is. That doesn't mean he'll play 18 holes with the guys he left but he won't forget about them.
After Tiger Woods shot 74 Thursday morning, Mickelson's afternon 2-under par 70 was a bonus for the tournament, which didn't want its two top stars to be fighting to make the cut on Friday. Mickelson responded, playing solid golf despite not being at peak condition.
Mickelson walked slowly around Quail Hollow and began running out of energy late in his round. He got 2 1/2 bags of IV fluids on Wednesday and he felt his energy flag climbing the hill on No. 15.
Of course, the par-3 17th hole got him again. He three-putted for a bogey there. That hole has tormented Mickelson through the years but at least he kept his tee shot out of the water there. Then he bogeyed the 18th hole. It could have been better but he wasn't complaining.
"I'll take it," Mickelson said.
Being sick isn't all bad in Mickelson's case. As he pointed out, the last two times he's gotten sick and fainted at tournaments, he's won. Strangely, it's a good omen, he said.
Maybe that's why he likes his chances this weekend.
Tiger Puts Early End To Ugly Day
Nothing.
Woods signed his card, did the obligatory post-round interviews, made a pass through the locker room and vanished from Quail Hollow to let the frustration over his ragged opening round subside. It was messy enough that Woods figured it was better to clear his mind than grind over a couple of bags of range balls.
"I'm just going to hang it up today and come out tomorrow," Woods said.
He hit four fairways -- just one in his first nine holes -- and only nine greens. He drowned a Nike ball in the water at the par-3 17th hole then put another one in the creek with his drive at No. 18 to finish his first nine holes double-bogey, bogey.
Woods tried to hold it together but the problem was he didn't know where he was hitting it. He had the dreaded two-way miss going meaning he felt like most golfers -- he'd make a big swing then look up to see which way the ball was going, not certain what he'd see.
There was no shortage of security officers around Woods during his first round. There were three uniformed policemen bolting about on their Segway scooters, others walking with the gallery and, no doubt, others blending in like fans.
Woods was treated like he always is, with plenty of applause. He complimented the galleries but admitted he wasn't listening much of the time.
"I was struggling so bad today, I didn't know which way I was going to go, whether I was going to go left or right, I didn't really hear much to be honest with you," Woods said.
Asked if it was something he could fix on the range, Woods shook his head and smiled.
"I'm not going to the range today," he said. "Hell with it."
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Five Players To Watch This Week
It's time to get the Quail Hollow Championship started.
Monday and Tuesday were about waiting, Wednesday was about Tiger returning, Phil getting sick and Freddie and Michael playing together. Now it's about business.
The dream scenario would have Woods, Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Rickie Fowler, Camilo Villegas, Boo Weekley, Davis Love III and a few others shouldering for position on the leader board this weekend. No one's quite sure what to expect.
The golf course is in prime shape, though it's soft enough from Tuesday's rain that it may yield some low scores. The field is exceptional and the weather will be perfect for scoring.
I'm terrible at picking winners but here are five guys I like heading into the first round:
-- Anthony Kim. I know he's hurt and flew in from Korea Monday but he's making birdies by the bushel and loves this place. He's dangerous.
-- Jim Furyk. He's won twice this year. He's won here and lost in a playoff another time. He's playing well and seems to live on leader boards.
-- Jason Dufner. Tied for fifth here last year. May not be well known but he's a good player.
-- Tiger Woods. Even if he's only played one tournament in almost six months, he's still Tiger Woods.
-- Phil Mickelson. Beware the sick golfer, especially one who just won the Masters.
Monday and Tuesday were about waiting, Wednesday was about Tiger returning, Phil getting sick and Freddie and Michael playing together. Now it's about business.
The dream scenario would have Woods, Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Rickie Fowler, Camilo Villegas, Boo Weekley, Davis Love III and a few others shouldering for position on the leader board this weekend. No one's quite sure what to expect.
The golf course is in prime shape, though it's soft enough from Tuesday's rain that it may yield some low scores. The field is exceptional and the weather will be perfect for scoring.
I'm terrible at picking winners but here are five guys I like heading into the first round:
-- Anthony Kim. I know he's hurt and flew in from Korea Monday but he's making birdies by the bushel and loves this place. He's dangerous.
-- Jim Furyk. He's won twice this year. He's won here and lost in a playoff another time. He's playing well and seems to live on leader boards.
-- Jason Dufner. Tied for fifth here last year. May not be well known but he's a good player.
-- Tiger Woods. Even if he's only played one tournament in almost six months, he's still Tiger Woods.
-- Phil Mickelson. Beware the sick golfer, especially one who just won the Masters.
Woods: 'Heckuva Lot More Normal Than Masters'
After playing a leisurely 18 holes Wednesday morning in the Quail Hollow pro-am, Tiger Woods said his second golf tournament of the year feels more like normal than his return to golf at the Masters three weeks ago.
"This feels a heckuva lot more normal than the Masters did," Woods said at a press conference just after noon.
Woods' gallery grew as the morning unfolded. There were several hundred fans when he and his amateur partners teed off at 7:30 a.m. but thousands were following as they played the closing holes. There were no incidents and heckling from the gallery as Woods made occasional conversation with fans during the round.
Woods said he decided to make the Quail Hollow Championship his second event of the year because of his comfort level at the tournament.
"I'm trying to get back to normalcy," Woods said. "Charlotte has always been one of my favorite tour stops. It's always a treat to play a course like this. It's very similar to a major championship."
Asked about the reception he received from fans, Woods said, "The people here have always been very gracious. The fans really get into the event."
Woods played with Kurt Kimball and Jim Rathburn of the Compass Group. Woods' name was available when they landed the first pick in the Tuesday night draw party so they took the chance to play with him.
"I could hardly get the words out of my mouth," Rathburn said.
Despite the large crowds, Rathburn said the morning round of golf with Woods was unforgettable.
"It was the experience of a lifetime," he said. "Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd have the chance to do this.
"He's been great. He even settled me down a little bit just by talking to me. He was extremely personable."
After his round, Woods paused for about 15 minutes signing autographs. He also stopped two more times -- after a session on the practice tee and the putting green -- to sign.
"This feels a heckuva lot more normal than the Masters did," Woods said at a press conference just after noon.
Woods' gallery grew as the morning unfolded. There were several hundred fans when he and his amateur partners teed off at 7:30 a.m. but thousands were following as they played the closing holes. There were no incidents and heckling from the gallery as Woods made occasional conversation with fans during the round.
Woods said he decided to make the Quail Hollow Championship his second event of the year because of his comfort level at the tournament.
"I'm trying to get back to normalcy," Woods said. "Charlotte has always been one of my favorite tour stops. It's always a treat to play a course like this. It's very similar to a major championship."
Asked about the reception he received from fans, Woods said, "The people here have always been very gracious. The fans really get into the event."
Woods played with Kurt Kimball and Jim Rathburn of the Compass Group. Woods' name was available when they landed the first pick in the Tuesday night draw party so they took the chance to play with him.
"I could hardly get the words out of my mouth," Rathburn said.
Despite the large crowds, Rathburn said the morning round of golf with Woods was unforgettable.
"It was the experience of a lifetime," he said. "Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd have the chance to do this.
"He's been great. He even settled me down a little bit just by talking to me. He was extremely personable."
After his round, Woods paused for about 15 minutes signing autographs. He also stopped two more times -- after a session on the practice tee and the putting green -- to sign.
A Good Start For Tiger At Quail
I'm not sure if the world was expecting anything different but Tiger Woods' arrival at the Quail Hollow Championship this morning was nice and easy.
Woods was smiling and happy, chatting with his amateur playing partners, speaking to people in the gallery, even stopping to give a signed ball to a six-year old who was skipping school and will now have the ball and photograph of his moment with Woods.
When Woods made his Monday debut at the Masters, I was near the first green so I couldn't judge the level of the reception he received at the tee. A colleague who was at both places said the reception was louder here.
There was a good crowd following Woods and his group but it wasn't enormous. It was, however, before 8 a.m. when they began and spectators were just beginning to pour in.
This should be a very good week for Woods, regardless of whether his game is razor sharp or not. It's about things getting back to normal where he's concerned and it already felt that way this morning. There's more attention than usual -- there were plenty of golf writers slogging around in the damp morning grass watching Tiger -- but it felt laid back.
It was a good way to start.
Woods was smiling and happy, chatting with his amateur playing partners, speaking to people in the gallery, even stopping to give a signed ball to a six-year old who was skipping school and will now have the ball and photograph of his moment with Woods.
When Woods made his Monday debut at the Masters, I was near the first green so I couldn't judge the level of the reception he received at the tee. A colleague who was at both places said the reception was louder here.
There was a good crowd following Woods and his group but it wasn't enormous. It was, however, before 8 a.m. when they began and spectators were just beginning to pour in.
This should be a very good week for Woods, regardless of whether his game is razor sharp or not. It's about things getting back to normal where he's concerned and it already felt that way this morning. There's more attention than usual -- there were plenty of golf writers slogging around in the damp morning grass watching Tiger -- but it felt laid back.
It was a good way to start.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Five Things To Like About Pro-Am Day At Quail
Here's a list of five things worth watching at the hit-and-giggle part of the Quail Hollow Championship, also known as the Wednesday pro-am:
1. That Tiger Guy
You've heard of him. He tees off at 7:30 a.m. in what is sure to be a chilly morning on a damp golf course but with a lot of eyes on him. Woods has traditionally been first off on pro-am day and this year is no exception. Don't be surprised if he hangs around someplace and signs some autographs. Expect him to smile a lot and say thanks, too.
2. Phil's Back
It's been almost three weeks since Phil Mickelson won the Masters but it will probably still be fresh when he tees it up Wednesday afternoon. And expect that feeling to continue through the week.
3. MJ and Freddie
Talk about charisma. Putting Michael Jordan and Fred Couples togehter -- along with Quail Hollow president Johnny Harris -- is a can't miss hit. They tee off just after noon and it may be the rare pro-am group that requires you to walk ahead once in a while just to get a good look at what's happening.
4. He Can Drive -- A Car
Four-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, a Quail Hollow member, is playing in the afternoon. Just remember, he doesn't play golf for a living. But he has fun at it.
5. There's A Reason They're Amateurs
There are three golfers in each group. One of them plays golf for a living. The other two are just trying to act like they're not as nervous as they are.
1. That Tiger Guy
You've heard of him. He tees off at 7:30 a.m. in what is sure to be a chilly morning on a damp golf course but with a lot of eyes on him. Woods has traditionally been first off on pro-am day and this year is no exception. Don't be surprised if he hangs around someplace and signs some autographs. Expect him to smile a lot and say thanks, too.
2. Phil's Back
It's been almost three weeks since Phil Mickelson won the Masters but it will probably still be fresh when he tees it up Wednesday afternoon. And expect that feeling to continue through the week.
3. MJ and Freddie
Talk about charisma. Putting Michael Jordan and Fred Couples togehter -- along with Quail Hollow president Johnny Harris -- is a can't miss hit. They tee off just after noon and it may be the rare pro-am group that requires you to walk ahead once in a while just to get a good look at what's happening.
4. He Can Drive -- A Car
Four-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, a Quail Hollow member, is playing in the afternoon. Just remember, he doesn't play golf for a living. But he has fun at it.
5. There's A Reason They're Amateurs
There are three golfers in each group. One of them plays golf for a living. The other two are just trying to act like they're not as nervous as they are.
