I was looking online for some reference to a comment Gary Koch made about Phil Mickelson last week when I came across this rather blunt article about Vijay in the Daily Mail. I had no idea he was percevied as “rude” by the media (I guess I just watch too much of the golf channel where they seem to be so gracious to everyone).
Certainly I was NOT impressed with what he said about Annika when she played in her first PGA tournament. But this story about his car really bugged me. I hate arrogance almost as much as I hate cheating. Golf is a gentleman’s game and it would appear that Vijay was not being a gentleman when he (or his companion) wouldn’t move the car to a player’s spot. How petty!
Now back to why I was searching for something on Koch and Michelson…I was watching Bay Hill and Gary and Kelly were talking about Phil’s honesty about how he couldn’t really ever achieve what Tiger has (or will) achieve in his lifetime. I can’t remember the exact quote, but I do remember how they were saying how honest that was of Phil and “good for him”.
Ok…But then, Gary Koch said that he was surprised because Phil is known for not being completely honest with the media about how he feels. THAT surprised me – NOT because I don’t believe it, but because Gary actually said it on the air. Everyone else (Kelly, Mark R, etc) said nothing…almost dead air…I think they just wanted the comment to go away.
We used to hear a lot about how Phil wasn’t liked by other players. I am not his biggest fan, but I was shocked that Gary called him “dishonest”. Then I found this quote by Gary after Phil’s loss at the Nissan Open: “I kind of liken watching Phil Mickelson to why fans watch NASCAR. You’re always waiting for the wreck to happen. It seems like with Phil, good or bad, he seems to provide some of those thrills for you, from some of the decisions he makes or even with the shots that he hits at the wrong time. But I certainly think there are a core group of people out there that love to watch him just for that reason.”
It would appear that Gary Koch is also not a big Phil fan. I wonder what’s he’s doing on the golf channel. I thought you had to be a die-hard Phil fan to work there 
golfgal
DEREK LAWRENSON Golf Correspondent
Daily Mail
21 Mar 2007
THE two sides of Vijay Singh were on show at Bay Hill on Sunday when he held off a world- class field to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational. On the one hand, the consummate skill and determination that has enabled him to forge one of the most… read more…
March 21, 2007 at 7:27 pm |
Phil just becomes everyone’s excuse to talk about meltdowns on the golf course. Phil is a fantastic person and even if he is a little dishonest to the media – BIG DEAL! You can’t tell me that every other PGA (or LPGA) tour player is 100% honest 100% of the time.
I do think some of TGC commentators need to watch their P’s & Q’s while on the air. They seem to spout too much of their own opinions and it really drives me crazy when all I want to do is watch some golf.
March 28, 2007 at 1:02 am |
Right on Tyler. The commentators are thinking they are as important as the game being played. Stuff it I say!
They could all learn a lesson from Renton on civility at a human scale.
March 30, 2007 at 5:48 pm |
I couldn’t agree more about Renton – I just love him. I look forward to seeing him on the European Tour. I wish he was on more. My favorite combo is Renton, Warren and Julian. This week we have Warren and Julian, but it’s just not the same without Renton.
I particularly like the way he teases Monty. You wonder if he likes him or not, but he’s just so funny when he talks about him.
Speaking of rude…did you see Sergio spit into the hole at Doral!!! I was shocked – I always liked Sergio and didn’t like it when people complained that he was too outspoken. But that little scene killed me – can you imagine having to pick your ball out of that hole after that? I actually think there should be a reprimmand for that kind of behavior on a course. He says it went through the hole, but that is irrelevant – what if he missed???
April 7, 2007 at 1:58 am |
It’s funny, rumor has it that Phil is extremely rude and arrogant to younger less know players and also, at times, to journalists. However we the public don’t really see that. We see him as the disarmingly nice American boy-next-door, who’s ultra talented but somewhat inclined to let his emotions get the better of him and melt down. Which is admittedly entertaining. I don’t know what’s true there.
As for Vij, I think he’s accomplished something so phenomenal, against such odds, that it’s taken a toll. He’s got an attitude and that’s where it comes from. Many can’t comprehend it…players, golf fans, journalists…they feel he should be more gracious. Personally, I have only admiration for him. I know he can be rude and arrogant, and I would excuse that in very few others, but having a knowledge of the experiences vs the acomplishments of Vijay Singh, I do accept it in him. I’m a major Vijay fan.
Great blog you’ve got BTW. keep up the good work!
March 20, 2008 at 11:19 am |
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