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Hi all,

Just got back from Loch Lomond.
Followed Phil Mickelson for most of his round.
I have to say what a nice guy he comes across as being.
Courteous to his fellow players, congratulating them on good shots, waiting on the green till they had finished putting out.
Stepped off the first green and even said 'excuse me' to a spectator as he walked in front of them.
On the playing side his short game is truely awesome. His chipping and putting was excellent today.
His game looks in good shape for Carnoustie, let alone this weekend at Loch Lomond, it'll take a good player to stop him winning this weekend.
Ernie Els was another one who showed what a gentleman he is. He was in trouble in the bushes on 12 and manged to hit a fantastic recovery back onto the fairway. On the way back up to the fairway I said 'great shot shot Ernie' and he responded with a 'thanks a lot'.
In the heat of competition it says a lot for the two of them.
By the way, Ernies game looks like its coming back together. He'll be looking forward to Carnoustie as well.
What a fantastic day.

OMG WAS THAT YOU THAT SAID GOOD SHOT ERNIE??????

i seen you on tv and my stepdad said, look at ernie saying thanks to that guy, thats good to see!!?

WOW thats creepy

That's neat.

Interesting. I've taken my son to the Deutsche Bank to the practice rounds, and while the pros will sign autographs, the "big names" weren't very friendly. They gave him the autographs, but didn't engage in any banter. I know it must be difficult on them, but hey, it comes with the territory. The few that were very nice to him were: Sean O'Hair, Davis Love III, and Todd Hamilton. Didn't see either Phil or Ernie.

Glad to hear they were so polite, especially in the middle of competition. Must be the Callaway's.

thank you for the report, loftboy. that is pretty cool that ernie acknowledged you especially if it was clearly audible on television.

i think the big names may have too many fans waiting and autographs to sign to really engage in a conversation. i remember attending practice rounds once and i remember one player (don't know his name, lol) actually seeking out people to sign autographs for. then i saw ernie els come off #9 and there were so many people between the green and the clubhouse, he just hopped over a rock wall and escaped. i was a bit bummed but can't really blame him. doesn't mean he's not a nice guy.

The big names are under an incredible amount of people pressure all the time and they have to balance it. I have seen both Phil and Ernie play and followed them. Both extremely classy and courteous guys as far as my observations go.

I've gotten Ernie Els autograph before but I got it in the middle of the practice round. It's too difficult to get an autograph after one of the big players practice round is done because there are way too many people to compete with. I think a lot of them see the crowd and try to avoid it altogether.

During the practice round, it's much easier. For example, when they're walking off the green and towards the next tee, you can stand in their path. Hold out what you want signed and hopefully they'll pick it up and sign it for you.

i too have just got back from the scottish open and totally agree with you on Ernie and Phil, two great guys and always seem to have time for the paying public. I also followed cabrarra and levet for 6 or 7 holes and even though they were,nt playing great, they were still having some good banter with the crowd.
Its a pity the local lad Colin Montgomerie could,nt take the same approch as the majority of the players on tour, and have a bit of time for the paying public especially as he was on home soil.Of all the people i spoke to at the scottish open,everyone agreed he needs to get a better attitude towards the public who have paid to see him play over the years...and in the big picture, pay his wages.?

yeah I'm not sure about Monty
This was only the second pro tournament I've been too, so it seems that the general feeling is that he needs to smile a bit more.
I'm all for being focused when playing especially when its your living but I think he feels he needs to prove something all the time. Which he doesn't of course, everyone knows what a talent he is.
I saw him for a few holes, 7th and the short 8th. He missed a putt of about 20 feet by a matter of inches on the 7th and you would have thought that it was to win a major. His reaction was quite odd really.