4 Boss Tricks That Tiger Woods Used to Unsettle Phil Mickelson

Published 07/03/2022, 6:30 PM EDT

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson may be the two golfers that have the most intense professional rivalries. When Alan Shipnuck came out with the unofficial autobiography of Phil Mickelson, it was reported that Woods would call Mickelson different names just to unsettle him.

The two athletes have contributed to some amazing moments over the years. In public, they have brushed off that they have ever feuded. However, it seems that the two didn’t truly care for each other that much at one point in time.

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It’s no surprise that both players could be forgiven for thinking they would have won even more tournaments had the other not existed. Having said that, they both complemented one another well.

Four tricks used by Tiger Woods to irritate Phil Mickelson

In an extract from his book about Mickelson, Alan Shipnuck asserts that Woods’ mother Tida gave the left-hander several unfavorable nicknames. It included names such as “Hefty” and “the fat boy”.

More details came out including the 4 things that Woods used to unsettle Mickelson. Those four elements were provided by Butch Harmon. He purportedly revealed them to Mickelson after Woods parted ways with his first coach.

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Harmon reportedly told Mickelson: “He’s been doing it to you his whole career and you don’t even know it.” They were:

1. In order to make the crowd move on to the next tee while Mickelson was putting, Woods always attempted to putt first.

2. To avoid his playing partner from hearing the roar that followed Woods when he arrived, he would wait behind the green and let Phil approach the tee first.

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3. When Mickelson had to decide between using a 3-wood or a driver on a hole, Woods would opt for the smaller club, allowing him to fart around in the fairway and force Mickelson to watch him hit what would unavoidably be a laser-like approach shot.

4. If Phil was fired up and playing quickly, Tiger would slow his gait and pace of play; if Mickelson seemed more relaxed, Woods would quicken his pace. In either case, the objective was to try to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm.

Woods’ trash talk and untold strategies have always been a theory among golf fans. As years pass by, the rumors are eventually turning into reality.

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Written by:

Abdul Bari is a Golf writer at EssentiallySports. Having completed his Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Abdul is currently pursuing his Master’s in the same. With great affection for the world of sports, this avid golf lover turned to the course at a young age.

Edited by:

Manaal Siddiqui

4 Boss Tricks That Tiger Woods Used to Unsettle Phil Mickelson

Four tricks used by Tiger Woods to irritate Phil Mickelson

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