Typically, a player peaks in his mid 30s. Some, such as Ben Hogan, never really got started til they were in their mid 30s, yet still won a significant amount of majors. Also, for many, it's not the first but the second that takes time. We saw it with Tiger Woods even, going a few years betwen the first and the second. For Phil Mickelson, we cannot know exactly what the future holds, but it's fun to predict. So, will Phil go on to become a regular contender in majors and win several more or will he continue on being a bridesmaid more often than not?
Typically, a player peaks in his mid 30s. Some, such as Ben Hogan, never really got started til they were in their mid 30s, yet still won a significant amount of majors. Also, for many, it's not the first but the second that takes time. We saw it with Tiger Woods even, going a few years betwen the first and the second. For Phil Mickelson, we cannot know exactly what the future holds, but it's fun to predict. So, will Phil go on to become a regular contender in majors and win several more or will he continue on being a bridesmaid more often than not?
Keep in mind Tiger was going through one of his swing changes starting the last half of '97 possibly attributing to his initial Major drought. But your point is well taken.
Davis Love jinxed himself when he said he expected the Major floodgates to open after hoisting the Wanamaker in '97. It aint that easy Davis
I see Phil winning around 4 when all said and done. He's been in contention so many times in his career...one may inevitably fall in his lap.
I see him winning a US Open, and another Masters before it's all said and done. I think the British will escape him. His track record across the pond hasn't been that impressive to say the least.
I voted for 1 more... Either another Masters or another PGA... i doubt he'll win either of the Opens... Maybe the '08 or '09 PGA; Oakland Hills in 08 or Hazeltine in 09.
It was interesting b/c Thomas Bjorn said Phil will be 10 time Majors winner. I was like no way!! His full swing is too erratic off the tee. If he ever gets rein of his enormous talents, he could push 6-8. But it's too tough especially with Tiger probably entering his prime. But I think Phil will probably always contend for the Masters and will probably win a US Open along the way but the British Open may be elusive. I think this PGA will give him confidence in future US Open as the layout was very Open like.
Mickleson has shown since winning the Masters that he will usually be in the mix in the Majors - top 10 in all 4 last year, not so great this year but led wire-to-wire in the PGA. If he consistently puts himself in the last few groups on Sundays, he will finish a few more off. The discipline he has added to his game since the Masters win is what will give him the shots he needs.
Anything could really happen with Phil... tbh, I'd almost written him off just as I'd written Monty off for a while, but both players have proved me wrong & I'm rather glad they have As they have shown there is hope for a lot of middle aged players out there. Heck Greg Norman & Nicklause all made comebacks.. severa infact. it even looks like Faldo is capable of blloming late again. so yes, I think Phil may well have more in him. as Tiger will surely only have so much energy before he burns himself out at least temporarily & Phil will be the first to admit that he could have played better than he was playing, it still remained he won & can win more. Just as Thomas Bjorn has won competitions whilst not playing well.
Vijay wasn't playing at his best, but still was playing fairly good golf. He looked old all of a sudden in that heat, even for someone from somewhere hot like Fiji, but I'm not going to write him off either just for lumbering around the course in a lack lustre way.
I ticked 5 more majors for phil, it could go either way. But a golfers carrer is a long one.
If nothing else I see him getting pretty pumped for the WGC tournaments and the Tour Championship. If he catches fire and wins a couple of more times this year then he deserved serious consideration for Player of The Year. Of course Tiger and Vijay will be just as pumped for the same events. If it comes down to Tiger, Vijay and Phil winning an equal number of tournaments (Not a likely scenario but who knows?) then I'd have to give Tiger the edge for winning two majors.
Phil's career is beginning to take on a Hoganesque look. I believe The Mickmeister is very serious about building a significant golfing legacy and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him win the career Grand Slam and something on the order of six, seven or eight majors.
The two guys on the Grey Goose 19th Hole said they thought Phil was going to win 10+ majors, with one guy saying 11 for a total of 13. I think that's reaching a lot...I went with 4 total....if he sticks with the cut he might win a couple more but he just can't seem to stay with it.
August 15th, 2005, 09:19 PM
As they have shown there is hope for a lot of middle aged players out there. Heck Greg Norman & Nicklause all made comebacks.. severa infact. it even looks like Faldo is capable of blloming late again. so yes, I think Phil may well have more in him. as Tiger will surely only have so much energy before he burns himself out at least temporarily & Phil will be the first to admit that he could have played better than he was playing, it still remained he won & can win more. Just as Thomas Bjorn has won competitions whilst not playing well.
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