Sunday, February 17, 2008 - Keith Mattingly, Socal.com Writer
Fan favorite Phil Mickelson won his first PGA event in Los Angeles at this week's Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club.
For LA golf fans, who don't have an especially extensive firsthand viewing spectrum, February's Northern Trust Open (or Los Angeles Open, as it is colloquially and continually called regardless of corporate sponsorship) is a rare opportunity to see the world's best duke it out on a subtle but sensational course. Riviera Country Club, set in the Santa Monica Canyon between Sunset and San Vicente amongst Pacific Palisades' typically lavish homes, is known for its kikuyu grass, its long history (nicknamed "Hogan's Alley", for the great Ben Hogan's dominance on the course in the 1940's), and its demanding George C. Thomas, Jr. design.
Perhaps its most famous snapshot is the par-3 6th hole, which features a one-of-a-kind sand trap in the dead center of the green. No sweat for this year's runner-up, Jeff Quinney, who aced the hole in the third round and added birdies in the second and final rounds. Less fortunate in the final round was the ever-fiery South African Rory Sabbatini, who found himself on the green but stymied behind the bunker. After pulling out his wedge and chipping over the bunker (and taking a divot out of the green), the world's #8 player expressed his frustration with a 20-yard club throw, much to the entertainment of the crowd. While patrons love to see great golf, nothing makes a fan more satisfied than seeing the ever-familiar struggles and failure – and best of all, destruction!
Another thing fans love is the flashy Phil Mickelson. With his contagious smile, ever-present optimism, and exciting style of play, Phil is the cat's meow for any avid or novice golf spectator. Since his exhilirating Masters victory at the 2005, which eradicated him from the dubious epithet of "best player never to win a major" and captured the hearts of fans and non-fans everywhere, Phil has been a staple in golf's top three in the world. Adding to his appeal is his constant competition with world #1 Tiger Woods, and the notion that the two are at least slightly antagonistic to each other. With the contrast of Tiger's serious, down-to-business intimidation and Phil's jolly, creative, risk-reward mentality, the golf world has seen the emergence not only of an exciting rivalry, but a division between Tiger fans and Phil fans.
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| Former U.S. Amateur champion Jeff Quinney, who aced the 6th hole in the third round, took the lead on Sunday after an early birdie run, but saw his short game falter on the back nine. |
Unfortunately, this year's field was again without Tiger, as he typically limits his schedule early in the year. Nevertheless, those who came out could see some of the world's biggest and brightest – world #3 Steve Stricker, Vijay Singh, defending champion Charles Howell III, defending Masters champion Zach Johnson, reigning U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera, 2006 U.S. Open winner Geoff Ogilvy, recent Sony Open winner K.J. Choi, and perennial crowd and female-favorites Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott, Aaron Baddeley, and John Daly (the former part, at least).
The grand entertainer of them all, Mickelson put on yet another show this year. Eager to avenge his loss in the 2007 event to Charles Howell III in a 3-hole playoff, Phil built a two-stroke lead going into the weekend after stellar rounds of 68 and 64. A solid third round 70 left him one stroke ahead of 2000 U.S. Amateur champion Quinney, who fired a 67 in the third round fueled by his hole-in-one.
In Sunday's final round, a battle was brewing between Mickelson and Quinney, who rallied for birdies on 6, 8, 9, and 11 after an early bogey at the third, to put him at 13 under par and deadlocked with Phil. Down the stretch, however, Mickelson's premier short game took center stage, with a clutch sand save on 14 while Quinney failed to get up and down for par after a solidly struck tee shot on the par 3. This came after a 3-putt bogey on 13 for Quinney, whose late short game woes cost him the trophy. He closed with a long sliding birdie putt at 18 to finish with an even-par 71 and 10-under 274 for the tournament, but Phil's deft and confident touch from behind the 18th greened sealed yet another up-and-down and yet another West Coast win for the big left-hander.
To a spectator, Mickelson's smiley and gregarious charisma seemed almost standard at this point. No matter how tense the situation, how poorly he's playing, or what his fans or drunken followers are yelling, Phil is always smiling ear to ear. His attitude towards golf is so positive, so unjaded, and so admirable, that it's no wonder so many fans treat him like a high-class movie star. No matter what level golfer one is, everyone wants to be like Phil – they want to play the game with as much excitement and as little fear as he does, smiling all the way. And not only does Phil love playing golf, but he thrives in the attention and expectations of thrill.
Photos courtesty of www.latimes.com
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