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.

Storylines Make Final Round at The Masters

Within the last 19 years, Zach Johnson is the only player outside the final group to win The Masters. That was only in 2007 when he pulled off the feat. Currently, three players are within four strokes of the leader Lee Westwood. What about the final two pairings? Here's a look.

K. J. Choi (-8): Choi has never won at Augusta and has a 3rd in 2004 as his best finish. Come to think of it, Choi has never won a major, but Choi's usually calm demeanor lends itself well to playing in majors. Keep on eye on him because Choi can sneak up and claim the lead if he converts early birdie opportunities. Unassuming to say the least, but Choi is crafty enough to use such a cover to his advantage. Considering Choi missed the cut in two majors last year (The Masters and the Open Championship), striving for that first major victory is priority #1.

Tiger Woods (-8): Tiger has four green jackets and 14 total major titles. For the fourth consecutive round, Woods will be paired with Choi. There's an obvious comfort level between the two and that could very well lead to some spectacular golf. You get the feeling a bit of vindication would be in order if Woods were to don another green jacket. If Tiger can climb the four stroke mountain in front of him, emotion would overcome him as well. The negative to his deficit, Tiger has never come from behind. He's always been the hunted and that's a role he relishes. Can he play the role of the hunter this year? As we all know, Woods rests atop the world golf rankings.

Phil Mickelson (-11): Lefty has two green jackets to go along with his three total major titles. His other major was in the 2005 PGA Championship held at Baltusrol. Phil may be an even bigger emotional favorite than Tiger. This year's Masters is the first time the Mickelson's have travelled as a family since Lefty's wife and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer last year. What a celebration that would be if Mickelson were to emerge as the victor. One point we cannot discount is Phil's caddy, Jim Mackay, or Bones as he is referred to. The two have a chemistry that cannot be duplicated and the two work spectacularly together. Lefty is currently ranked at #3 in the world rankings.

Lee Westwood (-12): No majors, but Westwood has three 3rd place major finishes on his resume' ('08 US Open, '09 Open Championship and PGA Championship). He's knocking on the door, he only needs to walk through. Closing the deal at Augusta would prove that Westwood deserves mention as one of the world's top players. Holding off Phil and Tiger in that effort could even catapult him a bit more. Westwood also possesses a unique opportunity. No player has ever shot in the 60's for all four rounds at Augusta National. With rounds of 67, 69 and 68, Westwood would be the first...and most likely capture his first major. Westwood carries the ranking of 4th.

One last player I want to mention and he has no chance at victory is the Italian amateur Matteo Manassero. He was was a T13 in last year's Open Championship and the only amateur to make the cut at The Masters...at the ripe old age of 16 years, 11 months and 22 days, the youngest to ever make the cut. Manassero will turn pro in a couple of weeks and make his debut at the BMW Italian Open.

Regardless of Sunday's outcome, we will have a first time major champ, the feel good story of possibly the decade or the greatest return in golf for quite some time.

Yes, Sunday at Augusta is in full bloom.