Masterful Mickelson Still Overshadowed

Victory has never been sweeter
for the Mickelson's

In what can only be defined as a storybook ending, Phil Mickelson captured his third green jacket at Augusta National. No doubt his victory is a popular win among the golf community.

But I'm growing weary of something, the constant gravitation of media coverage toward Tiger Woods. You can claim that I'm doing the same, but it's to prove a point. The fact that a guy who imposed a self-exiled from the golf world still commands as much media attention as he does can only be termed as crappy...and unfortunate.

I'm well aware that Woods was making his season debut and this is huge for the sport of golf. What got a bit shuffled toward the back was the fact that Lefty won and Tiger didn't. Did I expect Tiger to win? No, but I do applaud his effort on Sunday despite showing a lackluster swing that does require more work with Hank Haney. It will come back.

Consider the following questions. Why did ESPN feel compelled to show on their Bottom Line a virtual hole-by-hole coverage on Tiger. Yes, the same was granted to Mickelson, Lee Westwood and K. J. Choi, but Tiger was never truly in the mix during the final round. Why did the Golf Channel construct a piece on how Tiger's emotions may not have been kept in check? Look, he was unhappy with a fourth place finish, so of course he's going to be miffed at his round. Did we all honestly need that? All anyone had to do was watch Tiger's post round interview with CBS's Peter Kostis and it was beyond obvious. Do all golf fans seriously need that much attention given to one player? If anyone deserved the media attention yesterday, it was Phil, not Tiger.

Mickelson was robbed of his well deserved, well earned spotlight. His victory was a perfect opportunity for all of the media to make a campaign for breast cancer awareness due to Lefty's wife and mother being diagnosed with the disease. Instead, it dissolved into another Tiger-mania.

AK's all smiles after firing a 65 on Sunday.

The stage was also taken from those that finished ahead of Woods: Lee Westwood and Anthony Kim. How many people were truly aware that Kim shot a 65 yesterday? How many people saw the extremely classy Westwood conduct his interview after his loss? And what about Choi? The only reference made was that he shot the exact score as Woods on all four days. That's it. Nothing else.

And the PGA TOUR wonders why their sport doesn't get the ratings when Tiger is not in the field. No other player is granted the limelight.