Faithful Phil

The Masters is the start of spring for me. The annual event is the best golf has to offer. The Augusta course is the most beautiful course on the entire tour. I love sitting down in my chair and enjoy the stories told on the golf course. From old man Watson, Fred Couples, Tiger Woods and of course Phil Mickelson. The media focused on Tiger and all he has overcome in the past months. They forgot about one of the most faithful men in all of golf. Phil's wife and mother have cancer and he has been at their side the whole time. Phil's story is the true feel good story of golf even if some people have forgotten all about it.

Phil Mickelson has given all golf fans some classic meltdown moments and in the past few years some glorious triumphs. The Masters has been one of the best courses for Phil. I wrote about how I watched his first major title in a blog I wrote last year. Phil has always been the good guy and as the saying goes 'nice guys finish last.' Phil was that guy for several years. He could never win the big one until 2004. Now he is on a list of great golfers for winning his third green jacket.

Phil worked his butt off to get back to the point where he could play well and be competitive. I remember worrying about Phil when his wife was diagnosed with cancer. I remember thinking what a huge obstacle to overcome. Phil has been the faithful family man in a time when the media would rather talk about the downfalls of others. The better story here is a guy willing to do anything for his family. The Masters proved the good guy doesn't always have to be last. The competition certainly didn't make it easy for him.

The final round was full of twists and turns. Lee Westwood came in as the leader, Tiger was in the hunt and Anthony Kim was making a late charge up the leader board. I couldn't help but pull for Fred Couples as he played a great front nine. All of that didn't matter as the steady man on Sunday was Phil. He kept making pars on the front nine to stay on top. The back nine, much like Saturdays incredible minus 5 in three holes, was where Phil made sure the tournament was his to win.

One of the reasons I love sports so much is because of moments like the 2010 Masters. The walk on eighteen for Phil had to be one of the most fulfilling in recent years. He won his first major by making birdie on eighteen. Phil didn't need the birdie but that's what he made to win his third. His wife, Amy had been in Augusta all week on bed rest because of her illness. Amy must be strong willed since she made it to the 18th green to meet her champion. The tears trickled down both Phil and Amy's face as they embraced each other in front of the Augusta faithful. What a moment to remember from the 2010 Masters.

J Call