Last weekend I was glued to the TV early in the morning as I
watched an historic event unfold on the unyielding links of Muirfield,
Scotland. Phil Mickelson, in what he declared was the best round of his storied
career, birdied four of the last six holes including
the 18th and won the British Open ~ the
only player under par while dismantling the era of Tiger Woods in the process:
Allen L Roland
Phil
Mickelson climbed to the summit of the true golf legends last weekend ~ a place
where Palmer, Nicklaus and Hogan dwell ~ and marked his spot with a brilliant
closing round of 66 in the 2013 British Open.
Golf.com
captured the historical significance ~ " By
numbers alone, it was his lowest final round of a major. On a course that
didn't yield a single bogey-free round all week, Mickelson only dropped a shot
at the 10th hole. The scoring average for Sunday was just under 73.5.
Mickelson shot 66, matching the lowest score of the tournament. It was the
lowest final round ever at Muirfield, and the lowest by an Open champion since
Justin Leonard shot 65 at Royal Troon in 1997.
To
appreciate the British Open, you must also appreciate links golf which is a six
point test for all golfers ~ driving accuracy, putting, chipping, sand play and
mental toughness under extremely difficult course conditions, which can
dramatically change at any moment. Here's a six minute video of Mickelson's
amazing victory while defeating the perils of Muirfield in the process
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrlMPC8MDKY
As
a former 6 handicap golfer and a proud winner of the Peninsula Golf and Country
Club's first flight championship in the late 1960's as well as an enthusiastic
former member of Arnold Palmer's Army ~ I
know that golf is a demanding game where sheer determination, focus and
momentum can quite often lift you on their wings to breathtaking success.
But
it was mental toughness and the willingness to take chances as well as seize
the moment that brought glory to Mickelson and left Westwood, Scott, Woods and
others groping in the heather of Muirfield last
weekend. Listen to Phil as he explains that last round on this excellent BBC
Sports 6 minute video interview ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCTI84ZyuS0
As
for Tiger Woods, his day has come and gone ~ for much of his past dominance was based on fan adoration and respect
which has rapidly evaporated with his obvious public
arrogance and personal self-destruction. His attempt to rebuild his
image has helped and he will still win some endorsements and tournaments but
the fire has gone, the eyes are empty and non-trusting and he no longer
commands fear in his opponents or devotion from his fans.
Which
brings me to the king of the Golf legends, Arnold Palmer. Palmer was the true
stuff of legends ~ joyful, swashbuckling, fearless, focused, adored by golf
hackers, such as myself, and he enjoyed a mutual love relationship with his
fans which not only fueled Palmer's game but put golf on the television map.
Palmer's personality and presence knocked golf off the rich and elite country
club shelf and brought it back to the people
~ like myself ~ who patterned my swing and putting stroke after Palmers and
was a proud member of his enthusiastic and devoted army.
Palmer
was above all personable and available and every time I order an Arnold Palmer ( half lemonade and half ice tea) I
fondly think of this golf legend who is now a gracious and somewhat brittle 83 years old but still the king in my
eyes. See six minute video documentary on
king Palmer and his effect on golf, television
and the world ~
Phil
Mickleson has taken a giant step towards the stuff of legends by winning the
British Open in such dramatic fashion but his character and personality has
already enlisted an army of true believers which now includes myself.
"Phil
is going to go down in history as one of the great players of the game. There's
no doubt about that." Jack Nicklaus
Allen
L Roland
Freelance Alternative
Press Online columnist and transformational counselor
Allen L Roland is available for comments, interviews, speaking engagements and
private Skype consultations (allen@allenroland.com )
Allen
L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and
lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his web log and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a
monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on www.conscioustalk.net
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