Mickelson praises O'Hair's guts on the 17th at the Players

Tuesday May 15, 2007 | 02:27:46 am 190 words, 7281 views

Of course Lefty is going to praise a fellow golfer for his bold shot in the closing moments of a big tournament.

A very chipper Phil Mickelson was on one of my favorite shows, Pardon the Interruption this afternoon on ESPN.

Fresh of his Players’ victory Mickelson had some interesting comments.

Not only did he say playing partner Sean O’Hair, down two at the time, made the right decision going for the tucked flag on the island green 17th, but he also said it was good to see a young American golfer go for the win, and not just a cushy paycheck.

“There are enough mediocre golfers out there,” he said. “To win you have to take risks".

Easy for Mickelson to say. By dropping from second to eleventh place, mostly because of the carnage at the 17th, O’hair lost about $750,000.

Mickelson also went on to say that former pupil of Butch Harmon Greg Norman - not Tiger Woods - may be the best driver in recent history.

Lefty’s win, so soon after going Butch, surprised a lot of us, and it’s safe to say this season just got far more interesting.

4 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Oui Oui Oui [Visitor]

It is easy to be sympathatic,charitable and generous when you know you are better.

Permalink 05/15/07 @ 07:51

Comment from: Shanks [Member] · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks

O'Hair hit a great shot, just pulled the wrong club. Mickelson also said in his interview immediately afterward that the wind changed just as O'Hair hit that fateful shot. Regardless, I'm with Mickelson on this one. He was 2 back and needed birdie. If he wanted to win there was no choice but to take the risk. Had he not gotten that big hop on his third shot and made 4 or 5 in stead of 7, nobody would question that decision at all.

Permalink 05/15/07 @ 08:01

Comment from: Marc [Visitor]

I disagree. He didn't need to go for the flag at 17. You still have the 18th hole, and Lefty can easily double bogey that hole (Hello, remember the 06 US Open?).

You put the ball on the green at 17 at give yourself a put at it. You don't make the put, you still have 18 and a chance. Anything can happen.

I love Sean O'Hair as a player (I played in many mini tour events with him), but I disagree with his decision there. Nevertheless, this kid will be back in contention soon.

Permalink 05/15/07 @ 08:53

Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]

The question is this: If winning is the goal, what do the percentages dictate? What course of action would maximize the chances of victory? In that case, going for the pin on 17 is the answer.

The fact is that had he played it safe, he most likely would have walked to the 18th still two strokes behind, and the 18th isn't the birdie opportunity the 17th is. He had a short club in his hands (should have been a wedge), which the pros can hit dead straight most of the time. Moreover, he had already seen Mickelson hit the green and thus knew that the latter was assured of par on that hole. Also, remember that in most situations the pros would shoot at a flag with a wedge; it was only different on that hole because the penalty for an errant shot is so severe.

Lastly, you have to ask what your goal is; if maximizing your paycheck is the goal, then such an action would not accord with the percentages. However, if winning is the goal, it's the prudent thing to do.

O'Hair said that he "wasn't playing for second place." I like his attitude.

Permalink 05/15/07 @ 11:39

Brandon Tucker

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WorldGolf.com's Brandon Tucker offers his unique perspective on golf and travel destinations from Scotland and Ireland to Myrtle Beach. He also chimes in on news events on the PGA and LPGA Tours, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and other happenings around the world of golf.