Phil is the man for US

Obviously Tiger Woods is the best golfer.....and it seems that he is also the most popular judging by ratings and crowds.

But to those of US who play the game as it's meant to be played...with a 10 to 20 handicap...Phil Mickelson is the man.

Of course you might debate that and say that having a 10 or 20 handicap is nowhere near how the game should be played......but the reality is......most people playing the game....don't have game. We have occasional moments and then we have occasional screw ups.....usually in the same round....and many times on the same hole.

Phil Mickelson, time and time again, allows US relate to the PGA.....and relate to the top echelon of the tour.....because without question he is one of the top five players in the world and perhaps even the second best.

But every so often he does things that allow US to say....."yeah, I know what that's like."

Tiger never allows US to feel that way and thus it becomes a surreal experience watching him carve up a course and wipe out his opponents.

Watching Phil is a very real experience because he could miss a three foot putt or scuff a small chip on the green or drive the ball 3o yards to the right, or left of the fairway. And the most amazing thing is he is a really good putter....the best short game chipper on the tour, and consistently drives the ball 300 yards.

The last thing any of US do, when watching Phil lose a tournament, is feel sorry for the guy.....

The second place cash is $560,000.00.....and he goes home to a hot wife and beautiful kids and wakes up a few days later and gets to play golf five days (normally) in a row.....every week for the rest of the year....year after year.

I will say I'm getting tired of looking at that Bearing Point hat he wears...but he's probably making $10 million just for the hat....but I have no idea what Bearing Point is but I'm fairly certain they don't make golf clubs or balls......probably just make millionaires richer.

I wonder how long the hat contract runs and will it be the only hat we ever see him wear?

It's hard to relate to the lifestyle these guys have, but thank God every so often Phil allows us the pleasure of relating to the actual game of golf.

One of the strangest parts of the story is that Phil isn't left-handed......I've heard the reason but can't remember why he plays from the left side......I think it has something to do with baseball....or a bet he lost.....and apparently he likes to make the occasional wager, which also lets us relate.

For some reason, I can't image Tiger Woods ever making a bet. And that adds to the mystique of his personality......but of course I'm sure there are friendly wagers while playing with close relations but I don't see Tiger giving 15 strokes a round....even to his wonderful mom....or his very hot wife.

Which by the way....do you think Tiger has taught his wife to play golf? I realize she's going to have a baby but during the last four years....has he been able to teach her how to swing.

Tiger and his wife swinging.....boy, now that's a story.

Phil and his hot blondie wife and Tiger and his hot blondie wife......let's see that match. And then after the round of golf they could go back to the clubhouse and pop a few cervazes and then head to the hot tub and we are now talking huge numbers for a reality show.

The Networks would scramble for that show and Fox would probably win. I don't think the Golf Channel would touch it.

Just another example of US being able to relate.......Phil would probably be up for it but Tiger would absolutely refuse.

Playing golf for a living.......almost like being in the starting rotation for a Major League baseball team.....almost.

And Phil a few years ago got to throw a little, during spring training....another example of allowing US to relate.

Thank you Phil....one more time.

Michael Timothy McAlevey