Like many so-called golfers, (and when referring to my own game, even “so-called” could be considered a stretch!), I was mesmerized by the events this weekend at Augusta National Golf Club. The Masters is one of my all-time favorite events, and this year, it did not disappoint.
First, there was an opening round 67 by the 60-something Tom Watson, and another great round for the 50-something Freddie Couples. Then there was Phil, lighting up the links with his smile and his mad game…at one point, going 5-under on three holes! And of course, all the hoopla surrounding the return of Tiger Woods.
By now you know the story.
Mickelson, whose wife Amy has been battling breast cancer for the past year, showed courage and tenacity to defeat the field, including the embattled Woods.
In many national publications, the story of these two men has been seen as a morality play. Many writers have been clear….Phil’s victory was a victory for women and for all that’s good in sport. In their view, a Tiger victory would have sent the wrong message. (Click on these names to see articles by Rick Reilly and Jason Whitlock.)
In the midst of this drama, many sportswriters are ripping their colleagues. (Check out Greg Doyel and Michael Wilbon.) Their contention is that if you believe all the hype about Phil, then you are bound to be duped…again. Who knows….he might be a mirage, too?
This brings me to Malcolm Gladwell. In his amazing book “Blink“, Gladwell asserts that we often make judgements….correct judgements, in the “blink of an eye.” (It’s a great book….you should read it!)
Now, why does that matter in this instance? Because, frankly, I believe Phil to be exactly who he appears to be, and I never thought Tiger was who he appeared to be. That doesn’t make him a bad guy necessarily…just a guy who is not knowable from a distance. Watch Mickelson sign autographs sometime. He is always smiling, and he looks each person in the eye. His affection for his wife is obvious, and though some would paint him as a phony-too-good-to-be-true husband and father, those closest to him don’t fear him, they revere him.
This blog post is not meant to trash Tiger Woods. I just think it’s interesting that typically cynical sportswriters are being called out by their brethren for believing what their eyes saw. We could all be wrong. Tomorrow, Phil could be exposed as an ax murderer. But what does your “blink” tell you?
My blink says “believe it.”
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Great post here! Of course, any blog post about Phil and golf is great in my mind. Loved Reilly’s article as well. More important that what MY blink would tell me is what my WIFE’s blink would tell me. I just hope I’m in as good a company as Amy Mickelson.
It’s funny you mention that, Rich. My wife, who has always liked TIger and Phil, turned to me on Sunday and said, “I do NOT want Tiger Woods to win!” I guess I know what her blink told her!
Nice post! I have not read “Blink”, but I think I may need to pick that one up. An interesting thing for me to think about is what happens after the “blink” judgment. Is what I think sustained over the course of time? If time shows something different, I’m willing to change what I thought at first blink.
Good post. It definitely ended the way I wanted it to.
Chris, nice post. Yeah, I think Lefty is probably the real deal… he seems too awkward, too “aw shucks,” when the gallery cheers his approach for him to be full of secrets or guile.
By the way, I’ve golfed with you. A lot. I think you’ve accidentally hit on your own golf ‘handicap’: just before contact, you blink. All I’m gonna say is: “Glenwood Springs.”
Dan-o,
Glenwood Springs? Really? That was a loooong time ago, brother!
2 words….new golf clubs.
Wait…did I just bogey? =)
I was in an interesting spot watching the final 2 rounds this year. While I don’t care too much for Woods anymore as a person, I was still rooting for him as a golfer. He is the most gifted golfer the world has ever seen. However, that is where his skill set ends. He has lived his whole life in a plastic world, shut off from the rest of the world by a facade.
It will be interesting if he can break down those walls in the future, and become more human. We all make mistakes, part of life… the question is, how do we use those experiences to better ourselves, and better those around us?
I think you hit the nail on the head, Peter. The guy is simply an unbelievable talent. Still, it’s his LIFE that will be the compelling story in the months and years to come. Can he personally overcome the challenges that he himself has constructed? I hope so…
Very interesting. I would like to read “Blink”. I actually try to only note any reservations and other ‘judgements’ I may form until they are verified or contradicted. Sort of a “don’t judge a book by its cover” approach. Basically I don’t trust my own “blink” and prefer to give the benefit of the doubt. Of course that means I get ripped off a lot (passport stolen by my guide in Malaysia!) and go through life as every cons favorite sucker! I’m OK with that. Maybe “Blink” will help me trust myself without being prejudiced.
Any cons who happen to read this blog, please don’t spam me!