[Tim Martin]

My Take.  I was fortunate to play a few practice rounds with Phil.  I also played a few rounds with him at one of the courses he practiced at when trying to come back from my injury.  The "press and tv" Phil is different from the guy I played with.  The public Phil works very hard to try to say the right things, because it is good for his marketability, and the Tour.  He does a great job with the public.
The private Phil IMO, is actually more fun.  He's a bit of a smart ass, is very direct, and will compete with you on anything on the course.  He'll bust your chops for screwing up, and is happy to argue about anything, while not taking it, or getting personal about it.
He is very generous privately (I will not elaborate), and personally, I related on this board before, when I was trying to play again after my surgery, he was very good to me, and tried to be helpful.  My game wasn't ready to take advantage of the help .
Rumors are rumors, and Phil, as an outspoken guy definitely rankled feathers at players meetings, because he (unlike many big players) would openly say what he thought about Tour policies.   We disagreed on many of the Tour policies, argued about it when we played, and he invited me back the next day to play (and argue ).  My experiences with Phil have only led me to pray for Amy, and hope everything turns out well, I believe he would wish the same for most

Most every post in the current 3 pages of this thread is positive about Phil. Pat has a relationship with Phil and admires and respects the guy. As far as anybody believing that someone paid off a $100,000,000 marker for Phil I got some prime swamp land for sale in Florida right next to a golf course for ya.

[JC Jones]

Um, Tim.  2 things:

1.  There are no swamps in Florida.
2.  A golf course has never been built on a swamp in Florida.  See #1.

[JC Jones]

What do you make of the fact that he played in Akron every year since 1999?

I dunno what to make of it...other than Akron is 125 miles away from Columbus and The Memorial.

As stated previously, I like Mickelson, and wouldn't have brought up th e whisper of that sordid little story unless this topic was raised.

Frankly---the story I mentioned, while totally unsubstantiated, reminds me greatly of the famous Kevin Costner--Cal Ripken dust-up in the '90s, which might be familiar to some of you.

Sounds too salacious to be true, but I've heard the Ripken--Costner fable from a range of pro athletes and other sportswriters and sportscasters at different times and places, so one wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't something of an underlying truth or platform to the rumor.  Same could be true of Phil, for all any of us knows.

Baloney, if you were only 'mentioning' it then you wouldn't have taken the time to try and add some substance to the rumor by saying, and I'm quoting you: "The record will show he missed Jack's bash in 2000, '01, '03, '04 and '05, so feel free to make of this what you might".

That's journalism of the most yellow stripe, and despicable. It's the same type of garbage found in the New York Post or the National Enquirer. You have no proof,  yet you're willing to smear a man with your pen.

It's too bad that sportswriters can't be disbarred from their profession, you deserve to be.

Thank you Jim for saying what needed to be said.

Joel,

Are you serious?  So you are saying that because he didn't play in the Memorial those years he has a child with a mistress there?  Why did he go back in 2002?  Why did he go back in 2006?  Why would he ever go back?  Wouldn't the reason not to be there still matter in the years he did play?  He played in the Memorial in 1999, 2002, 2006 so make of that what you will.

He moved from Phoenix to San Diego, make of that what you will.

[Matthew Petersen]

What do you make of the fact that he played in Akron every year since 1999?

I dunno what to make of it...other than Akron is 125 miles away from Columbus and The Memorial.

As stated previously, I like Mickelson, and wouldn't have brought up th e whisper of that sordid little story unless this topic was raised.

Frankly---the story I mentioned, while totally unsubstantiated, reminds me greatly of the famous Kevin Costner--Cal Ripken dust-up in the '90s, which might be familiar to some of you.

Sounds too salacious to be true, but I've heard the Ripken--Costner fable from a range of pro athletes and other sportswriters and sportscasters at different times and places, so one wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't something of an underlying truth or platform to the rumor.  Same could be true of Phil, for all any of us knows.

Baloney, if you were only 'mentioning' it then you wouldn't have taken the time to try and add some substance to the rumor by saying, and I'm quoting you: "The record will show he missed Jack's bash in 2000, '01, '03, '04 and '05, so feel free to make of this what you might".

That's journalism of the most yellow stripe, and despicable. It's the same type of garbage found in the New York Post or the National Enquirer. You have no proof,  yet you're willing to smear a man with your pen.

It's too bad that sportswriters can't be disbarred from their profession, you deserve to be.

Thank you Jim for saying what needed to be said.

Joel,

Are you serious?  So you are saying that because he didn't play in the Memorial those years he has a child with a mistress there?  Why did he go back in 2002?  Why did he go back in 2006?  Why would he ever go back?  Wouldn't the reason not to be there still matter in the years he did play?  He played in the Memorial in 1999, 2002, 2006 so make of that what you will.

He moved from Phoenix to San Diego, make of that what you will.

Phil's well known to be a big time gambler, so I suspect he left Phoenix around the time the Gotti family moved down here. 

[Chris Kane]

I find it amusing that Chris Kane and Shane Gurnett are regularly outraged if someone dares to make a comment about a golf course they haven't played, or haven't played enough times, but they see no issue rumour mongering over $100m gambling debts and a child conceived with a hooker behind a wife's back.

Funny too, because Chris has made time to get stuck into the media before for its lack of morals. Good to see he has the sordid salaciousness of a National Enquirer reporter in him.

Absolutely extraordinary.

You started a thread asking why the 'vocal Phil haters' dislike the guy (I'm not one of them, I was pleased to see him win...but I don't think he's the second coming of Christ as many reporters have suggested in their quest to bury Tiger).  I outlined two very widely-cast rumours which floated around a few years ago, also stating very clearly that they're only rumours.  If asked to guess as to their veracity, I'd say they're both false.

If you're going to start a moral crusade about groundless gossip and rumours (a dangerous thing for anyone, but particularly for someone in your position), start with the two top-10 players who were actively encouraging the second rumour.

[Scott Warren]

I find it amusing that Chris Kane and Shane Gurnett are regularly outraged if someone dares to make a comment about a golf course they haven't played, or haven't played enough times, but they see no issue rumour mongering over $100m gambling debts and a child conceived with a hooker behind a wife's back.

Funny too, because Chris has made time to get stuck into the media before for its lack of morals. Good to see he has the sordid salaciousness of a National Enquirer reporter in him.

Absolutely extraordinary.

You started a thread asking why the 'vocal Phil haters' dislike the guy... I outlined two very widely-cast rumours which floated around a few years ago

Chris,

The treat is entitled Some details from the vocal Phil haters, please, not "post your vacuous, baseless Phil rumours in this thread".

The OP asked "could someone with actual knowledge of Phil Mickelson the person please speak up?".

If you doubt it's true and agree it's scandalous, why post it? Why introduce it to even one set of eyes that isn't already aware of it?

I am appreciative to those who've taken the time to share their first-hand experiences of Phil Mickelson.

[Chris Kane]

The treat is entitled Some details from the vocal Phil haters, please, not "post your vacuous, baseless Phil rumours in this thread".

I have never said it was my rumour - far from it.  For you to imply so is outrageous.

[Duncan Betts]

Starting a thread like this, when well known rumours are floating around, then being surprised when said rumours are mentioned, seems a bit unusual?

BTW Scott, weird place to ask, but that thread the other day with the guy and the golf hole in his backyard reminded me.  Have you got any pics of the 9 holer you learnt the game on?  I'd love to see what a 9 hole course looks like with basic maintenance practices, like a bit of grading equipment and a lawn mower.  Obviously digital wasn't available back then, but everyone has pics of their childhood times at a grandparents place - especially of something as special as a 9 hole golf course!

[Scott Warren]

Duncan,

I was completely unaware of the two rumours Shane and Chris mentioned until I read them in here. I was merely referring to the character criticisms he often seems subjected to.

Re: my childhood course, there'd be some pics, but they'd be on prints in my parents and grandparents' homes 20,000km from where I am sitting, so very little chance of getting them posted.

The best I can offer is this:

aerial map but it appears the bunkers have been filled in (my grandparents sold it in about 2000 or so). Street view gives an alright look at the property, but as with all the greatest courses, the terrain is flattened a lot by the camera

[Chris Kane]

I was completely unaware of the two rumours Shane and Chris mentioned until I read them in here. I was merely referring to the character criticisms he often seems subjected to.

I regularly hear character criticisms of Mickelson based in part on the two rumours I mentioned. 

Just because you were blissfully unaware of them doesn't mean they aren't very widely known.  Perhaps next time you want to start this type of thread, you should detail the thesis you wish to test.

[Scott Warren]

Chris,

I can't help but feel you are being objectionable for the sake of it. I have no intention to argue with you long enough to let you drag this thread into the gutter. The OP was very clear about what I was asking for and you are a smart enough bloke to know exactly what you were doing.

[Duncan Betts]

Was it one green with 9 different tees?

[Scott Warren]

Was it one green with 9 different tees?

No. Nine holes, played to eight greens. The same green was used for the 1st and 6th, played from different directions - one a par 4 one a par 3.

[Chris Kane]

I can't help but feel you are being objectionable for the sake of it.

You posted a personal attack, yet because I have the temerity to defend myself, I'm being objectionable for the sake of it?

I have no intention to argue with you long enough to let you drag this thread into the gutter.

Its already gone as low as it can.  Happy to let it go.

[Matt Day]

If Pat Burke says he's a good bloke then that will do for me 

[Kalen Braley]

My Take.  I was fortunate to play a few practice rounds with Phil.  I also played a few rounds with him at one of the courses he practiced at when trying to come back from my injury.  The "press and tv" Phil is different from the guy I played with.  The public Phil works very hard to try to say the right things, because it is good for his marketability, and the Tour.  He does a great job with the public.
The private Phil IMO, is actually more fun.  He's a bit of a smart ass, is very direct, and will compete with you on anything on the course.  He'll bust your chops for screwing up, and is happy to argue about anything, while not taking it, or getting personal about it.
He is very generous privately (I will not elaborate), and personally, I related on this board before, when I was trying to play again after my surgery, he was very good to me, and tried to be helpful.  My game wasn't ready to take advantage of the help .
Rumors are rumors, and Phil, as an outspoken guy definitely rankled feathers at players meetings, because he (unlike many big players) would openly say what he thought about Tour policies.   We disagreed on many of the Tour policies, argued about it when we played, and he invited me back the next day to play (and argue ).  My experiences with Phil have only led me to pray for Amy, and hope everything turns out well, I believe he would wish the same for most

And with this, I think this thread is over.

Game, set, and match.  THanks for the input here Pat, from someone who actually knows him and has interacted with him away from the cameras...

I've said it before and I'll say it again....PM represents everything that is good with the game/tour and how players should conduct themselves.

[Phil McDade]

Another perspective...

http://msn.foxsports.com/golf/story/be-careful-casting-phil-as-anti-tiger

Quite possibly the worst mainstream sports columnist in the country today.....(not because of this particular column; Whitlock is simply an awful writer and columnist.)

(I know I'll get some argument from the Mariotti critics, and I'll grant it's a close call....)

[Richard Choi]

This is dumb.

Phil may be a saint or he may be a Tiger reincarnate, but none of you know for sure.

If you asked the same question (know anything bad about him personally), no one around here would have posted about Tiger's infidelity before it broke. So why would you think that anyone around here knows if Phil had something to hide? Why? Just because few of us got his autograph? Got to play a few rounds with him? Big friggin' deal. If you think that interaction is enough to find out about the true nature of someone, I think you are quite naive.

Let's not make Phil a saint. I don't think he wants to be in that position. If we learned anything with sports heroes is that they usually don't make great life/moral heroes as well. So, why set them up?

[Trent Dixon]

Apologies for taking a while to respond.

My former boss is a professional golfer, and has coached 2 or 3 tour players. He caddied for one of those players on several occasions a couple of years ago, once in a tournament where the player was paired with Phil. Lets just say the player had a pretty poor round and the caddy overheard numerous disparaging remarks about the player and his game from Phil. Phil also failed to wait for him to hole out on most holes on the back nine, instead deciding to move to the next tee causing people in the gallery to make noise while he was putting, which Phil made absolutely no attempt to stop. Aside from that, there was just a general level of disrespect shown. I have heard other accounts of similar things happening from 2 other tour players I know which leads me to believe that this was not an isolated incident.

[Frank M]

Phil is phil

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