With 32 career PGA tour victories, new swing guru Butch Harmon, and short game master Dave Pelz in his corner, Phil Mickelson appears poised to close the gap on Tiger Woods and the world #1 ranking. Inability to keep the ball in the fairway prompted Phil to make the change to swing coach Butch Harmon in the early part of the 2007 season. If the 2007 season is an indication of how Phil is going to respond, perhaps the rest of the PGA tour should be on red alert! While under-going swing changes and battling a severe wrist injury, Phil managed to carve out 4 wins and 7 top ten finishes, a career for a lot of players!
With his "schoolboy" grin and interaction with galleries, Phil has become a fan favorite in recent years. Always known for his "riverboat gambler" style of play, charismatic personality, and family values, Phil has endeared himself to golf fans from all walks of life. Phil graduated from Arizona State University and onto the PGA tour in 1992. He has since posted an impressive resume, including 32 tour victories(2nd among active players and 13th all time), finished 2nd or 3rd on the money list 7 times(6 of last 8 years), been a member of the last 6 Ryder cup teams, the only U.S. player to be on all 7 president cup teams, and finished in the top 10 in 8 of the last 9 "Masters" with wins in '04 and '06.
Phil has chosen his sponsors and affiliations as carefully as he chooses his words for news conferences, having aligned himself with Callaway Golf, Rolex, Bearing Point, Exxon Mobile, Golf Digest, and Grey-hawk Development/Golf-club.
Phil and his wife Amy founded the "Mickelson Foundation" for school age children in grades 1-4. The foundation provides a much needed school supply "shopping spree" based on need and achievement.
The true value of Phil Mickelson lies far beyond his ability to challenge as the number one player in the world. Not only is he an ambassador for the game of golf, he is a husband, father, and a true gentleman. A person that you would be proud to call your friend!
The PGA tour and the game of golf has benefited tremendously from the contributions of Phil Mickelson, and I for one look forward to many more Tiger and Phil final round showdowns!
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