I cried in '86 when Nicklaus won. And I cried today. I’m so happy. Phil Mickelson with a birdie on the 72nd hole today got his first Major.
Golf is terrific. I get myself into trouble and I get myself out. It’s like life. I get to be a responsible grown-up and who thought that would happen.
And then there’s Mr Mickelson. He’s been hammered for years with questions about “The Best Golfer to Never Win a Major” and never been snippy or short with the reporter asking the questions. That takes a fair amount of class, bud.
Couple that wonderful attitude with the grin he wore over the last three holes today and I’m speechless. No matter what happened, Mr M was going to enjoy it. Good on ya, man.
Leftie deserved to win one after being so good for so long and playing such a spectacular final 9 holes. Could you believe all the eagles and holes-in-one during the final round? The back-to-back HIO’s by KJ Choi and Kirk Triplett were amazing. It is days like this that remind us why we enjoy golf.
'Bout time that wonderful son of a gun won a major! This news makes my day.
And you’re totally right about how much class this particular golfer has - he deserved this win. sigh Now I’m homesick for lazy, Sunday afternoons, dozing on the couch and watching golf while my dad snores from across the room…can’t do so much of that in school.
I’ve been a Phil fan ever since I started watching the PGA. I’m a leftie so how can I not cheer for one? I’ve been hearbroken on 8 occasions when he came so close to winning but, for one reason or another, didn’t. When that putt when in, I lept up and yelled (which came as a bit of a surprise to our family, we were having a family reunion). That’s totally out of character for me, I’ve just been such a huge Mickelson fan for so long, it was awesome to see him win.
I agree with everyone else… I had Easter dinner with my girlfriend’s family but managed to catch the back 9 after dinner… it was the best. Ernie made it interesting, but I’m really happy for Phil. I worried I would tear up and look foolish in front of her fam, but I held up and a couple of them even got into it with me. The closest I got was when his little girl, the adorable one with the ringlets, said “Daddy won!”
Ernie Els is a great guy too, but he has won a few majors and he will win more.
I was on the edge of my seat watching every shot Phil made. When he got out of trouble on 15 and saved par, then birdied 16, I felt he was going to win. Phil got a real lucky break on 18 when the his playing partner had to make essentially the same putt before him, he could see exactly how the putt was going to break. The stars were aligned in his favor today.
Go Phil!!! Let’s back that up with another major this year.
And yeah, that last 9 holes today was some of the most exciting golf I have every seen, and I have seen a lot of golf. There have been just 7 holes in one in the Masters history (since 1934), today there were 2 within 10 minutes of each other, both on the 16th hole. Amazing. It was funny, after the back-to-back holes in one, the announcer said people were beginning to be disappointed when someone “just got close” on their t-shot.
I think it will be awhile until I see another final round as exciting as today’s Masters.
I’ve always liked Phil Mickelson, and was very happy for him.
But now that HE has the monkey off his back… who do you suppose is the poor, unfortunate slob who’ll be given the tag of “best golfer never to win a major”?
Right now, the title may have to go to a non-American. Darren Clarke or Padraig Harrington, maybe? Colin Montgomerie? Sergio Garcia?
I am always amazed at how the Majors in golf (PGA excepted, and last year was an abberation) always reveal the true greats of the sport. On any given week on the tour, a guy like Rory Sabbatini or JL Lewis or Jonathon Kaye will win, but look at the Masters winners - you have to go back to '87 or '88 (Larry Mize and Sandy Lyle) to find a winner who is not a Hall of Famer.
Unfortunately, I missed the whole thing. I just caught a few replays and the presentation of the green jacket. The way Phil handled himself just confirms that he’s good people and I’m very happy for him. I especially appreciated how well he treated the low amateur guy.
Congrats to Phill! Couldn’t hapen to a nicer or more deserving guy.
I didn’t cry today, but every time I see a replay of Jack sinking the birdie on 17 in 1986… Vern Lundquist saying, “YES SIR!”… man, the tears just flow!
When that ball clipped the left side of the cup and went around about half a revolution before falling in, it was the longest split second I can remember. Hooray for Phil Mickelson! There’s just nothing like Augusta National. In reality, there are three majors and one super-dooper-incredible-ultimate-huge major. If you have to pick one, the Masters is the one to pick.
Minor nitpick, it was Padraig Harrington who hit the first ace, folllowed by Kirk. KJ eagled the 11th hole with a 5-iron. And yes, it was a thrilling back nine to watch and Phil deserved to win with 5 birdies in 7 holes. Good on him!
I have nothing against Els, but I’m glad Phil won.
The other great moment of the day, in my opinion, was when Padraig Harrington hit his ace. He was smiling like a little kid when he hit it. Then they showed him walking to the green and he still had that grin on his face. It’s nice to see guys under that kind of pressure actually enjoying the game.
How about who’s the best golf not to win a major that actually has a legit chance to do so? I think Colin’s time has definately passed him by. I’d have to go with Padraig Harrington but I don’t think he’ll ever have the pressure to win like Phil did. Partially because he’s not American.
Padraig’s 7th in the world rankings, Colin’s 42nd.
