In Augusta, GA this week a golf tournament was played. But it was more about the people who played the game than the game itself.
Yesterday afternoon was a great day for golf and an emotional day for all. The right golfer won the Masters. Not because Phil Mickelson hit more brilliant shots or totaled less strokes overall, but because he is a better man than the wrong man—a better ambassador for the sport and a better role model for kids who look to sports figures for their heroes. The right man does the right thing. The wrong man does not.
Phil’s win for me symbolized the guy with the right values gets the prize. I got the feeling he was saying to himself during the rounds, “Honey, this is for YOU!”
The wrong man was the guy that garnered all the attention all week—for the wrong reasons. That guy named Lion Cheetah Tiger. The guy who lives for all the attention. The guy who vowed to change his wrong ways—on the course and off.
Phil didn’t need to change anything. He just played really well. After he birdied the 18th hole to cinch the win, how touching was the hug with the caddie?
Even more so, how emotional was his hug with wife Amy? Pass the Kleenex, please.
Phil and Amy Mickelson embrace after the win.
How telling was Tiger’s comment after he lost? “I came here to WIN!” he said, scowling to the interviewer, with all the spoiled-brat petulance of a guy focused only on I-I-I-I-I.
Here’s the difference between Phil and Petulant Brat Boy. Golf is what Tiger is. Golf is what Phil does. And where was Mrs. Tiger? She’s irrelevant to Tiger’s golf game.
Tiger didn’t sound reformed to me. Here’s what he could have said instead:
“I came to play my best and pay tribute to all the great Masters players. And I appreciate even being let onto the course considering how much I have tarnished this noble game.”
Or: “Thank you to the tournament hosts, players, sponsors, fans, and viewers for this opportunity to play again. I look forward to more tournaments.”
Or: “The players who finished ahead of me did a great job. But I tied for fourth after five months off during which I’ve had to rehabilitate myself. So not too shabby.”
Or: “Hey, fourth place in the Masters? Are you kidding me? That’s terrific! But even more terrific, I’m going home to play with my kids and take my wife out to dinner. And thanks for asking.”
Me thinks that would take a whole lot more rehab.
