I read with interest today’s story on Yahoo about Phil Mickelson, the big tipper. The story says that Phil once gave a waiter a $700 tip after a cheap meal. Personally, I would like to know the details: Did the waiter give Phil a sob story about his kid needing an operation? Was Phil high or drunk when he gave such a generous gratuity? Had he just won the Masters and, relieved at no longer being called a choke artist, decided to share his good fortune?

After reading this story, I’m starting to feel that GQ wasn’t fair to Phil when it published an article calling him one of the 10 most hated athletes by their peers. Maybe Phil’s peers can’t stand those large tips he leaves for waiters. Didn’t you know that many athletes are real cheapskates? I’ll give you one example: When he was a player, John Elway was famous among the wait people of Denver as a guy who would stiff you. Some star athletes feel that their presence alone is reward enough.

I’ve got to hand it to Mickelson. Having driven taxicabs and limousines in my day, I’ve always appreciated a rich guy who had empathy for the downtrodden. I’ll bet that every time Phil goes into a restaurant now, the waiters are going to fight over his table.