Home

Golf

When the PGA Tour Commissioner Drew Parallels Between Phil Mickelson and Arnold Palmer: ‘A Role Model for Young Players..’

Published 03/20/2022, 10:29 AM EDT

Follow Us

USA Today via Reuters

Phil Mickelson is having a tough time in his career. The six-time major championship winner received backlash for his comments on the Saudi Golf League and the PGA Tour. However, the Lefty can find solace in the words of the former PGA Tour commissioner.

The Lefty received severe backlash from the golf word his words on the Saudi Golf League and on the PGA Tour as well. He also announced that he is taking some time off from the sport and still has not made a comeback. However, the 45-time PGA Tour winner can look back to his World Golf Hall of Fame induction and find some peace.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Mickelson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the class of 2012. Moreover, the moment was made even sweeter when the former Tour commissioner, Tim Finchem spoke kind words for Phil. Tim drew a parallel between Phil and Arnold Palmer.

He said, “I would like to thank him in addition for being a role model, a role model for young players coming up, and a role model for people who play the game of golf just for fun. Because you’ve never seen Phil Mickelson on or off the golf course that he wasn’t showing the proper professionalism that you want to see in any athlete, particularly an athlete in our sport.”

He added, “I think only Arnold Palmer maybe could be classified as better at enthusing our fans and having the fans fall in love with him. The way he interacts with the fans, the way he signs for the fans, the way he catches the fans’ attention, the way he gives them eye contact, the way he shakes their hands when he has the opportunity”

Phil Mickelson Once Destroyed a Young Justin Thomas With His Smack Talk

It must be truly a great feeling for the lefty to be compared with the sports legend, Arnold Palmer. Phil really deserves it all for his contribution to the sport. Moreover, during these tough times in his career can be proud of himself for what he has done.

How many green jackets does Mickelson have?

The lefty won the 2004 Masters at Augusta in emphatic style, winning his first major championship. The 51-year-old professional won the event with an overall score of nine-under-par, he won with a one-shot lead. Phil has a total of three green jackets. Mickelson carded a final round of 69, three-under-par.

He made one bride and three bogeys on the front nine. As a result moved out in two-over-par, 38. He won prize money worth $1,170,000.  Lefty made five birdies on the back nine on his route to a famous victory at Augusta. The South African professional, Ernie Els finished as the runner-up to Phil.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest Golf stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

via Getty

His next Masters title came two years after his first one in 2006. Phil won at Augusta for the second time with an overall score of seven-under-par. He won the event with a two-stroke lead. He carded a final round of three-under-par, 69 to win the event. The lefty also won a share of prize money worth $1,260,000. Mickelson’s third and last Masters win came four years after his second win in 2010.

He won his third green jacket with an overall score of 16-under-par, winning the event with a comfortable three-shot cushion. Phil carded a final round of 67, five-under-par en route to his victory on Sunday. He won a prize money share worth a whopping $1,350,000. Winning three times in six years truly shows his dominance at Augusta.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

What do you think about Tim Finchem’s kind words?

Watch this story: Greg Norman’s message to Phil Mickelson is going viral

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by:

Bazif Qadri

626Articles

One take at a time

Bazif Qadri is a Golf writer at EssentiallySports. Currently pursuing BSC Economics Hons, Bazif is a golf enthusiast. Not only a fan, but he is also an avid golfer himself.
Show More>

Edited by:

Deepika Bhaduri

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT