Phil Mickelson has starred in some of the best golf commercials. Here is my personal favourite where Phil meets his fans, people with advice, people he has hit and his look-alikes!
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Killeen Castle Fourball Quiz
The Killeen Castle Fourball Quiz
Fancy a fourball in the brand spankin’ new Killeen Castle, venue of the Solheim Cup 2011? Have a go at our rules quiz and text your answers (with name and address) to 087-3140467 or e-mail to examinerspindoc@eircom.net
Q1. True or False? A player may have one person carrying his clubs and another person giving him advice on his play at the same time.
Q2. True or False? In stroke play, a player may not move aside a large weed growing next to his ball.
Q3. True or False? A player is entitled to hold his ball, to stop it moving, while moving aside a moveable obstruction under the rules.
Last weeks answers:
Q1. True or False? A player may test the condition of a bunker located 10 yards away from the bunker that his ball in lying in. Answer: False
Q2. True or False? In a four-ball or foursome competition, a player may ask advice from his partner’s caddie. Answer: True
Q3. True or False? On the day of the Captain’s Prize, a strokeplay competition, a player may practice on the course very early on the morning of the competition. Answer: False
Congratulations to last weeks winner Patrick Brennan, Kilcolgan, Galway who receives the Mount Juliet fourball voucher.
What’s In The Bag Phil Mickelson
Full name: Philip Alfred Mickelson
Nickname: Lefty
Born: June 16, 1970 (1970-06-16) (age 39)
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st)
Residence Rancho Santa Fe, California, USA
Spouse Amy
Turned professional 1992
Professional wins 44
Phil Mickelson is already looking forward to 2010. Having decided to “shelve” his season to be with his wife Amy, who is battling breast cancer, Phil made a triumphant return to the Tour for the playoffs, claiming victory at The Tour Championship. The win was Lefty’s 37th on Tour.
Phil married Amy, a former Phoenix Suns cheerleader, in 1996. They have three children. Their first was due the week of the 1999 U.S. Open, where Mickelson carried a beeper and was ready to leave if Amy went into labour, even though he was in contention to win his first major. He finished second to Payne Stewart and the child was born the next day. As it transpired Mickelson was to remain major-less for another four years until he sought help from a former NASA physicist turned short game guru named Dave Pelz
When Phil phoned Dave Pelz for the first time seeking help in December 2003, he declared that he had saved a quarter a shot in each round in each of the majors he has played, he would have won several of them. He asked Pelz to help him achieve that by working on his short game. Pelz was somewhat daunted but intrigued by the request and suggested meeting Phil in Augusta in January to practise on the greens well in advance of the first major of 2004. An out and out family man, Mickelson was vehemently opposed to the idea, prompting Pelz to deliver an ultimatum, “You are 0 for 43 in the majors your way, lets try it my way”. Pelz recalled their first putting session. “Phil read a putt and lined up one ball right of the hole. He made his stroke and hit it three balls right of the hole. It came around beautifully and dropped into the cup. He looked over at Pelz for approval but the big guy just shook his head. “93% of players subconsciously aim it differently to where they want to aim it”, he says. If it drops, a player is lucky but statistically a player cant get lucky all the time. At the start of their time together Pelz says, “Phil was a poor reader of greens”. Their work together lead to Mickelson’s now famous around the clock putting routine which he has used ever since. And the proof is the putting; Mickelson now has three majors under his belt, two of them at Augusta.
Mickelson is well known for his sense of humour. In the lead to Annika Sorenstam’s debut on the men’s PGA Tour at the 2003 Colonial, Phil was asked by the press how he thought she would do. “I think she will come in the top 20” he said. “And how do you think you will do” continued the press-man. “I hoping for 19th or better”, laughed Phil.
What’s In Phil Mickelson’s Bag
Bet Your Balls: Portugal Masters Betting Preview
odds with
Portugal Masters
Oceânico Victoria Golf Course
Vilamoura, Portugal
15 Oct 2009 - 18 Oct 2009
Padraig Harrington 12/1
There’s a star studded field headed to Portugal this week including Westwood, Garcia, McIlroy, Fisher and our pick, Padraig Harrington. Padraig has been in the news of late in relation to a difference of opinion with European Tour Player’s committee chairman Thomas Bjorn and with a player’s meeting planned for this week, let’s hope it doesn’t affect his performance. The Dunhill Links came after a hectic (if highly profitable) playoff season in the US, and a rested Harrington is sure to mount a serious challenge this week.
Charl Schwartzel 33/1
Disaster hit Charl last week as his clubs failed to arrive in Madrid in time for the first round of the tournament. Without a back-up set Charl was forced to borrow clubs. He battled bravely with irons which were much too flexible for him, but the wrong set-up ultimately caught up with him. A leaked bunker shot at the eighth lead to a triple bogey and scuppered his tournament chances. He’s back with his own sticks this week and knows how to go low on the Victoria course, he was right in the final round mix in 2007, eventually tying for seventh and has played well in Oceanico corporate events in the past.
Steve Webster 50/1
Steve Webster will always have an emotional attachment with the Victoria course in Villamoura. Shortly after the sad passing of his mother in 2007, Webster claimed an emphatic victory in the inaugural Portugal Masters, pointing to the Heavens on the 18th green as if to give thanks for divine inspiration. On that occasion he shot a final round 64, which included a brilliant risk-reward eagle at the par five 12th to eclipse the field. Made a wonderful defence last year, finishing tied third despite a cold putter in round one. One to keep your eye on.
Ryder Cup 2010: What’s In Monty’s Notebook (Part 2)
Colin Montgomerie certainly is taking his role as Ryder Cup 2010 Captain seriously. A couple of weeks back he oversaw the jousting at the Vivendi Trophy a la Hitler at the 1936 Munich Games. He is said to already have a shortlist of probables and possibles. Monty’s Notebook might read thus……
Ross Fisher
Did you know that according to the 2008 Majors stats, Ross is the lowest scoring player across all of the majors. He seems to love to love the major arena and may just have the best mental game of all the players on our team. He was ready to leave the Open this year if his pregnant wife went into labour; I need to be ringing Ross all through next Christmas with birth control advice. With Rory McIlory and Martin Kaymer destined to be there, I don’t need any more baby blues! Verdict: Grab Your Clubs
Sergio Garcia
Poor Sergio. A victim of unrequited love this year, I’m still not sure Sergio is over his break-up with Morgan Leigh Norman but time will heal him. Like myself he seems to save his best putting performances for the Ryder Cup stage. It’s hard to believe but Sergio is now a Ryder Cup veteran and if Miguel Angel Jimenez doesn’t make it, Sergio and Alvaro Quiros might become the new Ballesteros and Olazabal. Verdict: Dry your eyes mate and grab your clubs.
Simon Dyson
Simon Dyson is rapidly becoming a great player. With his win at the Dunhill Links, his second of the season, he has burst into the World’s top-50 and increases his chances of an automatic Ryder Cup spot by gaining automatic entry to all four majors. If he does make the team automatically I would have no qualms playing him, possibly alongside Ross. Verdict: Keep the clubs in the boot and check your messages.
Henrik Stenson
Whenever I think of Henrik I get that mental image of him in his Y-fronts with Fanny trying not to look! Henrik won the Players Championship but followed it up with several missed cuts on the European Tour. With his length and strength I have no doubt that Henrik will win big in 2010 and make the team automatically. We will need his humour in the team room. Verdict: Keep your pants on and grab your clubs.
Padraig Harrington
The personification of “class”. You don't win three Majors without having that X-Factor. At odds with the European Tour at the moment, I hope Padraig commits to play the requisite number of events in Europe next year; I really want to avoid a situation where a player of Padraig’s stature might soak up a Captain’s pick. Either way, A Ryder Cup without Padraig is unthinkable. If he plays next September like he did this September he will be untouchable. Verdict: Grab Your Clubs
Alvaro Quiros
I think Alvaro is going to be among five players from which I have to pick my three Captain’s selections. Alvaro may be streaky but when he hits form, he is simply sensational. Tiger called him “Stupid Long”, his booming drives would be a real asset in a cold wet Celtic Manor in September. Could do with some fine tuning of his short game, but he has time. Sure to be an intimidating opponent and a potential partner for Sergio. Verdict: Practice the wedges and check your messages
Technorati Tags: Ryder Cup team selection,ryder cup 2010,Monty's notebook,Donal Hughes,irish Examiner
Tailored Shorts: Golf News You May Not Have Heard
Tailored Shorts
Going For Gold
It’s official! Golf will return to the Olympics at the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. Both golf and rugby, last featured in the games of 1924, were reinstated for the 2016 and 2020 Games after a vote last week by the International Olympic Committee. Golf’s pitch to be included in the Games was aided greatly by the participation of Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and Michelle Wie who addressed the IOC before the vote. Woods has indicated he would play in the Olympics if golf were accepted for 2016. "There are millions of young golfers worldwide who would be proud to represent their country," Woods said from the Presidents Cup. "It would be an honour for anyone who plays this game to become an Olympian." The gold medal will be decided by a 72-hole stroke-play tournament for men and women, with 60 players in each field. British bookmaker William Hill were quick off the mark quoting Tiger at 6-1 odds to win the gold medal. It gave the same odds for any player from Britain or Ireland winning.
Alligator Dismembers Golfer
According to news sources in South Carolina, an alligator bit off the lower half of a golfers arm at a private course in the region. The victim who is in his 70’s, had entered a water hazard at Ocean Creek Golf Course in Beaufort County in an attempt to retrieve his ball when a 10-foot alligator emerged and bit him. The gator pulled the golfer into the pond and ripped off his arm in the struggle. His playing partners managed to free him, preventing further injury. Wildlife workers killed the alligator. The man who has not been identified, underwent surgery to attempt to reattach his arm at the Medical University of South Carolina. The incident provides further evidence, if any were needed, of the importance of hitting the fairway.
Bulls Hit At President’s Cup
The US Team unveiled their latest weapon at last week’s President’s Cup; basketball legend Michael Jordan. Jordan was given the official role as assistant Captain. In a US team room meeting prior to the event, Jordan addressed the young players on the U.S. team about believing in themselves. Rookie Sean O’Hair was said to be “in awe” of the ex-Chicago Bulls star following his words. It is as yet unclear if Jordan is to have a role at next year’s Ryder Cup. Hopefully the European Team will enlist the services of supermodel Jordan as a repost!
Paddy Watch
| European Tour- Madrid Open | |||
| Finishing Position | Name | Score | Prize Money € |
| T4 | Gareth Maybin | -18 | |
| T4 | Gary Murphy | -18 | |
| T17 | Damien McGrane | -15 | |
| T43 | Peter Lawrie | -10 | |
| T53 | Shane Lowry | -9 | |
| T70 | Michael Hoey | -4 | |
| Missed Cut | Darren Clarke |
Dr. and The Medic Game Improvement Tip: Flying Too Low
Problem
The ball keeps flying much lower than you would expect it to.
Cure
Make sure your head is not swaying excessively during your swing; which will cause a loss of loft.
Therapy
Instead of just trying to keep your head still, simply focus on keeping your head behind the ball at setup and as you contact the ball. If you are noticing a loss of loft with your wedges and irons, make sure you are not trying to help the ball up. Remember that you need to hit down on the ball in order to get the loft you desire.
Must Have Golf Gear For 2010: Nike SQ Dymo2 Str8-Fit Driver
Nike SQ Dymo2 Str8-Fit Driver
Dymo2 (which stands for "dynamic MOI") has a rear "PowerBow" that gets thicker as loft increases from 8.5° to 14.5°. This shifts more mass farther back and to the heel side for added draw bias. Higher lofts also have a shallower face height, a more closed face angle and more upright lie angle to help you square the face at impact. The innovative "Str8-Fit" adjustable fitting system features a specially designed shaft adapter and hosel that tilt 2 degrees off axis. The by-product is that you can choose among eight clubface and lie angles. Nike says the eight settings produce up to 45 yards of directional difference. The SQ Dymo Str8-Fit driver has a round head that's still plenty forgiving. But it's supposed to provide more "workability" than the SQ Dymo2.
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