OT: Phil Mickelson

WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,516
21,918
113
What is the issue?

As it just relates to Phil.
It's not just Phil. The PGA Tour feels threatened by this new league and they are saying any player joining the new league will not be able to play on the PGA Tour. Yet players can still play both the PGA Tour and The DP Tour, formally the European Tour without issue.
 

knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
95,457
69,280
113
It's not just Phil. The PGA Tour feels threatened by this new league and they are saying any player joining the new league will not be able to play on the PGA Tour. Yet players can still play both the PGA Tour and The DP Tour, formally the European Tour without issue.
Back in the day very few PGA players ever went to Europe to play. Arnie made it cool to go, followed by Jack.
 

WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,516
21,918
113
Back in the day very few PGA players ever went to Europe to play. Arnie made it cool to go, followed by Jack.
Before them was Bobby Jones and then Ben Hogan but few followed them until Arnie. Jack was the one who really changed it all by pushing the Ryder Cup changes to include all European players to be included in the Ryder Cup.
Ben Hogan winning The Open after his accident was huge! TV helped so much as well.
 

Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
196,410
148,465
113
You getting close to a return to the course? I'm playing in an outing next week. First round on a regular course in years. All I've been playing is a Par 60.
I’m hitting 8 irons and up but out on the course. Won’t start hitting driver for another month though. Happy to be out there anyway. Got em straight!
 
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superfan01

All-American
May 29, 2003
8,780
8,003
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Back in the day very few PGA players ever went to Europe to play. Arnie made it cool to go, followed by Jack.
Lol. That's because travel to Europe was so difficult. Bobby jones has to take a week long boat to play in the British open and amateur. Travel didn't become easier to Europe until the 60s and such.
it's not like today where you could just get on a plane and be there in 5 hours
 

knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
95,457
69,280
113
I’m hitting 8 irons and up but out on the course. Won’t start hitting driver for another month though. Happy to be out there anyway. Got em straight!
This course owes me. I played it maybe 15 years ago during a long weekend in AC. One of those nothing goes right days.



Spent a lot of time in that high grass lol
 

RU#1fan

Heisman
Mar 7, 2003
23,566
12,272
113
This course owes me. I played it maybe 15 years ago during a long weekend in AC. One of those nothing goes right days.



Spent a lot of time in that high grass lol
Played that course last year in a Pro Am.
 

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
19,186
12,348
82
Played Westchester CC (west) yesterday. Course is a great shape but greens are still recovering from aeration. Had a blast but wind was a challenge.

on Phil, it’s not the gambling. It’s the fact that he admitted to taking blood money.
 
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WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,516
21,918
113
Played Westchester CC (west) yesterday. Course is a great shape but greens are still recovering from aeration. Had a blast but wind was a challenge.

on Phil, it’s not the gambling. It’s the fact that he admitted to taking blood money.
They all take blood money. Why is he being called out and not others?
 

knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
95,457
69,280
113
Played that course last year in a Pro Am.
The LPGA tourney?

The Shop Rite is 2-3 weeks after I play so I hope it's all spruced up. I understand the course had been closed till this week while they made improvements to the traps around the greens.

I couldn't keep the ball out of trouble when I played there. By the time I reached 18 I was so disgusted I tried to reach the green in 2. i crushed a 3 wood (for Me). The ball traveled around 250. Unfortunately it was 150 out and 100 right. I think I cleared Rt 9 lol.
 

knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
95,457
69,280
113
I have gone to ridiculous lengths to protect my back starting when I was 30'ish.
That's when mine started. I'm playing the day before my son's wedding. I have to be careful so that I'm not doubled over the next day. I've been to the range 4 times with no real problems other than a bit stiff once but nothing I can't handle. Fingers crossed lol.
 

T2Kplus20

Heisman
May 1, 2007
31,797
19,786
113
That's when mine started. I'm playing the day before my son's wedding. I have to be careful so that I'm not doubled over the next day. I've been to the range 4 times with no real problems other than a bit stiff once but nothing I can't handle. Fingers crossed lol.
Knock on wood, my back is 100% okay, never had a back injury, but I stopped all basketball league play when I was 35 (which is when several good friends suffered serious injuries.....back, knees, etc.). I look like a moron when I pick something up.....and not just heavy things, all things. 100% leg lifting, head up. No exceptions.
LOL!

And thankfully, never got into golf.
 
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Joey Bacala

All-Conference
Aug 12, 2005
3,673
1,703
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It's not going to be a fun press conference for Phil next week if he's there.

All of what's been mentioned plus the insider trading which probably funded the gambling losses. Yikes.
 

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
19,186
12,348
82
So is Justin Johnson, Bryson, Rose. , Final and another 130 golfers who played for money at the Saudi Tournament in 2021.
Think you missed the story. None of them said anything remotely close to what Phil said.
 

WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,516
21,918
113
Think you missed the story. None of them said anything remotely close to what Phil said.
So if they take the money it's OK if they keep their mouths shut? You are missing the story. The European Tour is invested by Saudi money and sponsored by a Dubai company in the UAE. They have no issue taking the blood money.
 

Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
196,410
148,465
113
Dude, dude, dude, Be careful. As someone with back issues for decades that was nowhere that bad, I feel for ya

I've been doing crazy amounts of rehab and am much stronger than I was pre surgery. You gotta keep that core strong. And hamstrings. My PT guy is a God send.

My discs all look great except one that's degenerating. That's the one that had the herniation. It was just digging into my sciatic nerve. The last year was hard. I powered through it not realizing how much pain I was in until I could hardly walk.

Everything is on the up and up now. Gotta keep it that way Been 3.5 months since surgery and have been hitting wedges and whatnot for the last month. Gonna keep the big stick in the bag until sometime in June. I've been fortunate and am recovering quickly. I see guys who aren't so lucky. While the PT prior to surgery didn't do anything, I think it set me up for success post surgery. Good thing is I am pain free. That sciatic leg pain is debilitating. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I tell everyone, work on core strength and hamstring strength specifically every day. It is the best thing you can do for a back. And not stretching hamstrings, but strengthening them. That seems to be where a lot of people make mistakes, including me.

Lastly, I have done a ton of research on stem cell tech. I'm going to get shots into the disc to see if it can be rejuvenated. There has been a lot of success with that.

Core core core. That's the focus though. Oddly enough I've never hit my irons better. 8 is carrying 175. Good enough for me!
 

Caliknight

Hall of Famer
Sep 21, 2001
196,410
148,465
113
Oh, also, if anyone is going through something like this, get the Gift of Injury. It's a really fantastic read. Injuries and whatnot can actually improve your life if you tackle them the right way.
 

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
19,186
12,348
82
So if they take the money it's OK if they keep their mouths shut? You are missing the story. The European Tour is invested by Saudi money and sponsored by a Dubai company in the UAE. They have no issue taking the blood money.
Isn’t that basic? US has a relationship with UAE.
 

knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
95,457
69,280
113
What did he say?
Mickelson believes that the funding produced by the Saudi Golf League will help to levitate the sport and the money can be used to reshape the nature of the PGA tour.

The American said: "They're scary... to get involved with.

"We know they killed [Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights.

"They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it?

"Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.


He doesn't mention that according to rumors they're paying him up to $3 million just to show up.
 
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Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,451
16,363
113
I believe that today, May 10, is the day when the PGA Tour is scheduled to rule on exemptions for Tour players to play in the 6/9 Saudi event in London.

In the past this was a rubber stamp approval. But not anymore.
 
Oct 19, 2010
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None of these pale in comparison to Tiger's past issues and people still love Tiger.
No body cares except the media. They are trying to make a big deal about the gambling. Maybe they should look into Jordan's gambling expenses if they want a real story.

I think Lefty was one of the very most popular guys on the tour - probably second only to Tiger. His comments on the Saudi tour really turned me off to him - most especially his "apology". Don't care about gambling, family issues - that's his business. But right now, eff Michelson.
 
Oct 19, 2010
207,472
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It's weird how everyone has decided it's time to tear down Phil. He's always been flawed - other women, gambling, etc. If you followed the sport beyond the actual play this stuff has been pretty well known over the years. And, sure, his comments about the PGA and Saudi league grabbed headlines, but at least the guy was being honest about it (essentially admitting it is blood money). The list is long of companies and sports athletes making $$$ off of China, and yet no one seems to care.

IMO, this will blow over unless the book states that Phil threw golf matches because he bet against himself.

I'm glad you mentioned China - a huge blind spot for many NBA players who otherwise side with social justice issues.
 

WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,516
21,918
113
I think Lefty was one of the very most popular guys on the tour - probably second only to Tiger. His comments on the Saudi tour really turned me off to him - most especially his "apology". Don't care about gambling, family issues - that's his business. But right now, eff Michelson.
You OK with many others taking money from them for appearance fees and purse money?
 
Oct 19, 2010
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28,752
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You OK with many others taking money from them for appearance fees and purse money?

No; not okay. To be fair, we have to resign ourselves to a Saudi presence because the world needs their oil so badly. But, I don't like what the Saudis stand for in any way and the sooner the Western World can disassociate itself (i.e., fully energy independence) from countries like Saudi Arabia, the better.
 
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WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,516
21,918
113
No; not okay. To be fair, we have to resign ourselves to a Saudi presence because the world needs their oil so badly. But, I don't like what the Saudis stand for in any way and the sooner the Western World can disassociate itself (i.e., fully energy independence) from countries like Saudi Arabia, the better.
Agree. I just don't get the hypocrisy of everyone going after Phil but OK with everyone else making money off them.

Especially now as they are milking the world right now by keeping oil production down and making a fortune on the rising costs.