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.

I don't know if this is sad or pathetic, or both.

I don't know if this is sad or pathetic, or both.

I don't know if this is sad or pathetic, or both.

On the broadcast yesterday they wanted to place Rahm-Scheffler as a rivalry on par with Palmer-Nicklaus and Tiger-Phil. Tiger-PHIL? Was Phil ever a rival to Tiger? That's just silly. It's like comparing a shitburger to God.

Why are they so desperate to place Phil Mickelson in the pantheon of all-time greats? He belongs in conversations with Nick Faldo and Greg Norman, not with Palmer, Nicklaus, and Tiger.

On the broadcast yesterday they wanted to place Rahm-Scheffler as a rivalry on par with Palmer-Nicklaus and Tiger-Phil. Tiger-PHIL? Was Phil ever a rival to Tiger? That's just silly. It's like comparing a shitburger to God.

Why are they so desperate to place Phil Mickelson in the pantheon of all-time greats? He belongs in conversations with Nick Faldo and Greg Norman, not with Palmer, Nicklaus, and Tiger.

I looked it up on Chat GPT, as I recalled Phil had a ton of second place finishes in majors. Sort of like Ewing would have had more championships if there were no Jordon, Phil would have been the greatest golfer of his era if not for Tiger.

“Mickelson has been the runner-up 12 times in major golf championships. Notably, he has finished second in the US Open a record six times. Although he faced heartbreaks in those close calls, Mickelson’s resilience and remarkable career achievements have solidified his place in golf history. Tiger Woods, on the other hand, finished second to Phil Mickelson five times. Their rivalry and performances have left an indelible mark on the sport.”

That's like the Cub fan who thinks they have a rivalry with the Cardinals. The Cardinal fan knows the Cubs are just a team they regularly whip on the way to the World Series.

I looked it up on Chat GPT, as I recalled Phil had a ton of second place finishes in majors. Sort of like Ewing would have had more championships if there were no Jordon, Phil would have been the greatest golfer of his era if not for Tiger.

“Mickelson has been the runner-up 12 times in major golf championships. Notably, he has finished second in the US Open a record six times. Although he faced heartbreaks in those close calls, Mickelson’s resilience and remarkable career achievements have solidified his place in golf history. Tiger Woods, on the other hand, finished second to Phil Mickelson five times. Their rivalry and performances have left an indelible mark on the sport.”

I looked it up on Chat GPT, as I recalled Phil had a ton of second place finishes in majors. Sort of like Ewing would have had more championships if there were no Jordon, Phil would have been the greatest golfer of his era if not for Tiger.

“Mickelson has been the runner-up 12 times in major golf championships. Notably, he has finished second in the US Open a record six times. Although he faced heartbreaks in those close calls, Mickelson’s resilience and remarkable career achievements have solidified his place in golf history. Tiger Woods, on the other hand, finished second to Phil Mickelson five times. Their rivalry and performances have left an indelible mark on the sport.”

That's like the Cub fan who thinks they have a rivalry with the Cardinals. The Cardinal fan knows the Cubs are just a team they regularly whip on the way to the World Series.

The St. Louis Cardinals have a record of 1214-1267 versus the Cubs all-time.

That's like the Cub fan who thinks they have a rivalry with the Cardinals. The Cardinal fan knows the Cubs are just a team they regularly whip on the way to the World Series.

That's like the Cub fan who thinks they have a rivalry with the Cardinals. The Cardinal fan knows the Cubs are just a team they regularly whip on the way to the World Series.

I think you’re wrong there. Yeah obviously would not have won every single one of those second-place finishes, but it is a stretch to think he wouldve won at least half? Then he’s sitting at 10, 11, 12 plus majors . Nicklaus used to say he eliminated 80% of any given field he was in iknowing they weren’t mentally tough to win majors. I’m gonna say that same logic applies to most of the golfers during the Tiger / Phil era.

Especially to Phil himself.

That is just stupid. He won 6 majors. To claim he was not mentally tough enough to win more is just stupid.

Like him or not, agree with him or not, Phil Mickelson is a top ten player in the history of golf. End of discussion.