We didn’t plan our outfits (Phil’s never on the phone) but we both turned up to Sunday’s round wearing all black. And that has nothing to do with anything.
I confess – I like Phil Mickelson. Come on, it’s not like I’m alone here! Lefty’s got special something about him (not to mention a knockout smile, posed or candid) that I find quite pleasant. Knowing that I would be going to the Northern Trust Open for the final round on Sunday, I was so glad to watch him take the lead and thrilled to be there to watch him win.
But I wasn’t just there, I was there with a shiny new media credential, courtesy of my association with the respectable publication Golf For Women. (Thanks, Alena!) I had access to pretty much anywhere I wanted to go. I was inside the ropes taking photos, at the range, in the clubhouse… I could even have gone in the locker room but I was surprisingly and uncharacteristically timid, practically demure, at the event. I want to be allowed back, you know.
Phil even won despite my unlucky presence. I didn’t follow him all day, but I was up close and personal on the second hole where he found the bunker and again on the 9th where he found the 10th. (Sorry, Phil. Glad you worked it out in spite of me.)
At the trophy presentation, Phil gave a special shout out to Amy Alcott. He thanked her for her help at Riviera. I was intrigued and wanted to know more. Back in the media conference, I was prepared with my question: “Would you tell us more about your relationship with Amy Alcott and how she helped you this week?” Again, I was feeling strangely shy but I would have asked the question if someone didn’t relieve the pressure and ask the same thing once they were finished asking him about the golf course, his competitors and how this prepares him for match play (since he and Quinney basically went head-to-head down the stretch, it transitions nicely into this week’s tournament).
I can’t quote him exactly because I don’t have the transcripts, but he said she really helped him read the greens and talked about her extensive course knowledge. She knows how the greens slope. To paraphrase: “Everyone wants to walk with Amy in the pro-am.” But Phil got her that day and he picked her brain. In the same response, he also talked about how he has changed to a softer golf ball, which gives him a little more distance but that’s not why he uses it. He uses it for the feel and control. I surmised Amy had something to do with his choice, but I could be wrong. He also said he put a firmer insert in his putter so he could hear the golf ball coming off it, which makes him better with speed, touch and feel. He especially likes the softer ball with his short irons and wedges. All short game stuff – Amy (and Phil)’s specialty. And all in the response from that one question.
Who says women have no short game?
Anyway, I have a lot of terrific photos from the event and would love to put some up now, but I still haven’t had a chance to repair my site and it’s problem displaying images. I will get around to it soon and share some of those pictures with you.
Meanwhile, you can see a few of them on my GFW post about the event.
Also, congratulations to Annika on winning at Turtle Bay. Wasn’t that great to see? I’m so happy that both players I rooted for last weekend won!
Next post.
My editor from their website still isn’t sure what’s going to happen with their online presence so there could still be some life there.
Will Annika retire on top?
Annika Sorenstam is playing with confidence, grace, and determination. She looks like the Annika we know and love from before her injuries. Her dominant win last week in Virginia keeps her solidly in second place to Lorena Ochoa and the momentum is on her side. More on that in my latest Golf For Women post on Swing Thoughts.
Now there is a rumor that Annika will retire at the end of this year, and she’s supposedly going to make a statement today. We all know she is marrying Mike McGee and wants to start a family. While most of the working world has to work more to support a family, she has the luxury and probably the necessity to do the opposite. She’ll still have her business to run but to make time for a family, something’s got to give. Since she has already accomplished so much in professional golf, it makes sense that playing regularly on tour would be the thing to drop. I mean, she’s not going to get rid of that cat. *Side note: Vito actually likes cats. I told you he had snags.*
Of course the retirement issue is of greater importance. Whether she will or won’t, I’d love to see her back in the #1 position before she goes. This year would be just fine with me. The LPGA has a lot of great competition, with dominant Lorena Ochoa leading the pack, so Annika’s got her work cut out for her. I think we’re going to see a lot more stellar play out of Annika this year, and maybe with retirement beckoning at season’s end, her focus and determination will be that much stronger.
Update: It’s official. Annika made the announcement today, citing “following her dreams” of business and family as her reasons for stepping away from competitive golf. She said “I have given it all and it’s been fun.” You can watch the press conference at the link above. She also talks about the state of women’s golf and even gives a nod to Brett Favre for their similarities in reasons to retire (they love the competition, they’re just “tired of the daily grind”). It’s an interesting speech and she also discusses her plans to stay involved in the game of golf and inspire future golfers. As for the next seven months, her goal is to win many tournaments, including majors. That’s what I’m talking about. That’s what I want to see.
Thank you, Annika, for all the years you’ve given us and everything you have already done for golf.
Next post.