I don't know if this is sad or pathetic, or both.
Quote:
There was a time when Phil Mickelson could hardly walk around Augusta National without a massive, Tiger-level wave of humanity flowing in his wake. Calls of “Let’s go Phil!” echoed through the pines with every round.
The patrons at Augusta National could sympathize when Phil found himself in trouble off the tee or around the green — He plays just like us! — and they’d make mental notes of how he escaped that trouble, planning to use a Phil-style stinger or daring flop shot the next weekend at the local muni.
Phil Mickelson had literally nothing in common with the patrons outside the ropes, aside from some dubious fashion choices. And yet, they felt like Phil was one of them, a cheerful everyguy who, shucks, just loves playing golf and throwing a few thumbs-up here and there.
That was then. This is now: Mickelson, startling a couple patrons when he wandered by himself into the pine straw to the left side of No. 9, searching for his wayward tee shot. While Woods commanded thousands of patrons, you could count up most of Mickelson’s traveling gallery and still have a hand free to carry a commemorative Masters cup of Domestic Beer.
Augusta National is always in the process of shaping not only its future, but its own past. The more unseemly elements of the club’s history are allowed to fade from memory, while images of Arnie and Jack and a young Tiger remain ever-present. You won’t see significant promotion of Mickelson on Masters channels, and he was virtually silent this week.
Perhaps this is just the way it will be for Mickelson going forward at Augusta. He’ll always have a standing tee time here during the second week of April, but it’s strange to see him joining the ranks of past champions who make their way around the course in near-anonymity, with only an older remember-when gallery trailing them.
Mickelson finished up his Saturday round shortly before 4 p.m. at 2-over, 6-over for the tournament and 13 strokes behind Scottie Scheffler’s lead. He received polite applause as he shook the hand of playing partner Sahith Theegala, but then you or I would receive pretty much the same response; the Masters galleries are nothing if not politely supportive.
If you listen closely enough, the “Let’s go, Phil!” cheers are still there. But now they mostly come from patrons just sitting in their chairs, waiting on Tiger or Scottie while Mickelson walks on by.
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Nas wrote:
We lose a lot of rights when we look the other way when it doesn't affect our lives or it isn't a cause we agree with.
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