Golf Needs its Heros

I am really glad to see Phil Mickelson playing so well. I have to admit that he is a sentimental favorite at this point but with Phil you never know.

Bill Harmon who was assisting Jay Haas at the Presidents Cup in S. Korea had this to say:

“When I was on the staff for Jay Haas at the Presidents Cup in S Korea, I spent a lot of time with Phil. Spent 4 hours with him on the course the Sunday before where he just had his putter and a couple wedges. It was just Phil, myself and John Wood, who is now Kuchar’s caddy. He chipped and putted on every green. As the week went on we sat at the same table for dinner with Amy and Freddy. I got to observe him close up for the whole week. I came away with a few observations. He still has a childlike love for golf and competing, he LOVES the competition, he is VERY competitive, he’s still very long, he’s not afraid of any player, he WANTED Jason Day every match, he mentored and needled all the young players, he conferred with Jay on many decisions, he really cared about the matches and finally he is still REALLY GOOD! I came away from that week thinking that he may be the first player to ever win a major in his 50’s. He may shoot 80 on Friday, I don’t know but what I do know is that it won’t defeat him. He’s been a remarkable player for a very long time and I for one, think tournaments are much more interesting when he is in the hunt.”

I am really glad to see this because I have lost most of my hero’s. First I had to watch Arnie wave farewell from Swikin Bridge, then it was Jack’s turn. Finally, last year I had to watch Tom Watson bid his farewell. I admit that I teared up each time that it happened. The end of eras that gave golfers wonderful memories.

Now all I have left is Phil and the faint hope that I will eventually get to see Tiger wave to the crowd and come up 18 to a standing ovation.

The young guns of today talk about growing up idolizing Tiger and I can’t help but think another generation of young players will be talking about growing up watching their hero’s in a few years. I don’t have any idea yet who it will be because it takes years and an impressive record to attain that status. There are several good candidates, but at this point I have no idea who will emerge as someone’s hero over time.

All I know for now is that I still have Phil and a slim chance for Tiger and I intend to make the best of it while I have them. Play well Phil.

Cover Photo via YouTube