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I've been hearing this rumor for the last year or so that Mickelson is a phony. That his "Aw Shucks" type of demeanor is just an act. Is there any truth to this or is this just something that someone somewhere once said out of spite and the media has since picked it up and ran with it?

I've heard all kinds of criticisms about his family being on the green with him yesterday and that the whole thing was planned and rehearsed earlier. I don't really see how that could be possible but nothing is impossible I guess.

Personally, I like Phil. He's a great golfer, seems like a nice guy, and he's a lefty (I am too). So for me it's fun to root for him.

Of course it was planned...all of the guys in contention had their families flown in "just in case." I have played over 100 rounds with "Bones" and I can tell you, Phil's "easy-going" demeanor turns off on arrival to work and on after work. He is pretty intense on the course but the easy-going, down-to-earth, philanthropic Phil is the real deal. He doesn't give money just to get in the press but only gives to what he cares about.

If he's a phony he's done an awfully good job at it for a very, very long time. I'm sure he does bad things just like anyone else, but I don't doubt for a second that you're seeing the "real" Phil on TV.

Don't know that rehearsed is a good word to use for it, but sure the ones in contention have family on "stand by"...who as an established pro or even contending Tour Pro would not want to have some family on hand if they get to lift the fist high after winning a tournament let alone a major one. If you're like the guys in contention on Sunday at the PGA, they have the money to do so easily.

Who are the one's criticising? The media, your friends, co-workers? I've not heard those types of criticisms before, it's usually from folks who aren't familiar with the game. I'll say this much, for the top stars of the game you do see the media beckon to show the family....for the likes of the lesser known players, they don't really give the camera all that much to show perhaps a newbies folks on hand to give him a hug, etc...media has it's way of showing and playing up what it wants you to see, doesn't it?

Sometimes when I watch and listen to Phil I feel like Im being given an unwelcome lecture on American morality.

That being said I still like him.

I followed Phil round quite a bit during this years British Open and even though he wasn,t playing that well he was fantastic with the fans and almost seemed a bit overawed by the support he was getting and not just from Americans.
He took time at EVERY hole/tee to shake or palm anyone and everyone and never stopped smiling.
I,m a big fan of OUR golfers and wish them well but Phil gets my vote and I think he,s the real deal, Loves his family and by all accounts is very loyal to his friends, that will do for me!

I'm good friends with one of the golfers on the Tour, and I asked him a similar question a couple months ago. He's not that well liked among the players. He's sorta like the kid in school that everyone loves to hate. That's the description i was given. We know Tiger and Vijay don't get along w/him. I heard Ernie and Retief don't, either. But from what i was told, he's great with the fans and doesn't turn down autographs, and it's really the smile that sucks people in. THat nice smile, friendliness u see.

Guess it wouldn't be appropriate for you to name the pro would it? Had to ask anyways.

Ahhh the Alex Rodriguez of Golf.
It is NOT in my best interest to comment on this subject!!

But I will anyway.

I can't prove it, but I swear he was all set to hit a shot, and then noticed the camera had turned on, so then he got out and did all this "pre shot" stuff again before he hit his flop out. Just seems he plays for the camera and attention. Which is ok.
I'm SURE he's a great guy and he has some great values and can't fault him for his family virtues.
But the whole "game day face" comes off as totally planned.
Maybe it is because he "looks" like a lot of "bad characters" that I also don't like.
He has that James Spader look about him. So maybe I'm just feeling that way because of it.
But I just feel that a lot of media tries SO HARD to make him bigger than what he is. The feeling is that it's not for his golf, but for his "market ability".(funny thing is, he's capable but hasn't reached their level of expectation yet) .
I also personally didn't like the switch of club makers immediately after his Master's win.
I will have plenty of opportunities to change my opinion of him now, so for me the jury is still out, but definitely around 11 to 1 at the moment in favor of guilty.

I followed Phil at the Million Dollar at SunCity a number of years ago. He cam e across as a genuine guy and stopped to talk to fans after his round. I liked him and he did not have any 'airs or graces'.

Sorry, can't do that, only that he lives in Florida. Of course, just about every golfer lives in Fla.

I do understand, but if I named him would you just nod your head for me? LOL.

It would take you about 100 guesses. He's not the most popular guy on tour. But definitely one of the nicest.

he is an example to others,does not smoke on the course does not swear does not throw,bend snap clubs etc.a true pro !!!!

The Godfather mentioned something I forgot to include in my OP; that many other tour pros don't like him and see him as kind of an Eddie Haskell type. The kind of guy that goes to great lengths to impress the parents but in reality has a mean streak.

But I don't care if other pros don't like him all that much. That could all amount to some kind of professional rivalry, or maybe Phil doesn't have the best interpersonal skills in the world. Whatever. I'll continue to root for the guy.