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‘Impacted My Life’: LIV Golf Defector Phil Mickelson Once Revealed a Heartwarming Event Which Changed Him Forever

Published 08/03/2023, 4:30 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Phil Mickelson has carved a very impressive career for himself with a lot of hard work and dedication. But there are some people who provided him with early motivation in his life, and shaped his mindset for his dazzling future.

In 2019, Phil Mickelson used to host a tribute Tuesday session on his Instagram where he would pay tribute to golf persons and other people who have had an impact on his life. And one week, he shared a very sweet anecdote of a random act of kindness that someone did for him many decades years ago. And it still has its impression on his mind.

Random act of kindness performed by a stranger left Phil Mickelson in admiration

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During one of his Tribute Tuesdays sessions, Mickelson narrated the tale of when he was just a teenager, 15 or 16 years old, and used to pick driving range at the Stardust Country Club. He worked there with a guy named Mark Smokow. According to the LIV golfer, Mark was a gem of a person. He was a hard worker who would always show up on time and was reliable. The range closed by 11 PM and Mark would work an extra half an hour so that Phil could do some extra practice. But beyond all these thoughtful things, he once did something special that Mickelson will always cherish in his memory.

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Lefty wanted to play in the LA Open qualifying, but he missed the deadline to get his application in so he had to go up early. But neither he nor his parents had a car. At the moment Mark came to his rescue and offered to drive him there. Mark came to his place at 4.30 in the morning and drove to LA with him. He shared the story on his Instagram four years ago.

Mickelson ultimately got into the event and Mark waited for him. Though Phil failed to succeed at the event, he thinks about it often and tries to emulate it in his life.“It was that random act of kindness that he shared with me that has impacted my life. I have always remembered how much that meant to me.” he had said.

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Mickelson cherishes the noble gesture of his old friend

Mickelson proceeded to make the cut at the event next year. But for him what was more important was the sweet gesture of Mark that does not seek any compensation and came from a place of genuine kindness. That incident impacted his life. He always remembers how much that meant to him. He often shares this story with others when he gets a chance. At the end of the video he thanked Mark and said that even though he hadn’t seen his old friend, he genuinely appreciated the kind gesture.

USA Today via Reuters

This core memory had definitely made its way into the six time major winner’s heart, and has helped shape him as he himself has numerous times fulfilled the request of fans. Mickelson’s kindness is often referred to by his fans as a ‘class act’ and now we know the inspiration for it.

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Written by:

Shafaque Taha

745Articles

One take at a time

Shafaque Taha is a fresh writer at EssentiallySports. She has been a golf enthusiast all her life and Tiger Woods has been her window into the sport and its legacy. Shafaque regards his iconic 2019 Masters win as her greatest inspiration in life.
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Edited by:

Manaal Siddiqui

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