[droogy33]

Originally Posted by JPsuff

Everyone who thinks it's time to say that Phil Mickelson is simply not as good as we thought he was, raise their hands.

Boy, JP, I just don't know where to start.

The above sentiment would not exist anywhere if it were not for Tiger Woods. Tiger's complete dominance of the game has necessitated the call for a rival. The fact that most observers look to Phil is indicative of how good people think he is.

But the simple truth is no one can or will rival Tiger Woods. He is the best, and greatest golfer of all time. Phil is just living in Tiger's world.

As I type, I am looking at a 1993 (Phil's first full year on TOUR) Golf Digest article about the most promising young guns in golf. The writers give their views of the potential of John Daly, Jose-Maria Olazabal, Phil Mickelson and Robert Allenby.

In this article, there is no big expectation for Phil. He is not the "next Jack Nicklaus" by any means. As a matter of fact, the writers surmise that Phil will likely struggle to reach his full potential. They cite an impetuous and undisciplined manner combined with technical inefficiency in his swing.

I have followed Phil since he turned pro. At that time, Greg Norman was the world's #1 golfer. As I looked into the future and hoped, it was Greg Norman's standard...his numbers...that I was hoping Phil would equal or surpass. I never even dreamed that Phil would have a career on par with guys like Nicklaus, Palmer, or even Tom Watson.

Back in those days I hoped Phil would win a grand total of at least 20 TOUR titles, and I imagined he was good enough to become a multiple major winner. Maybe two or three. Four max. And I was certainly confident that, one day, Phil would become the #1 player in the world.

And you know what? If it were not for the greatest golfer of all time turning pro during Phil's fourth full season on TOUR, Phil would've become #1. He has logged more weeks at #2 than any player in the history of the OWGR. All of them behind Tiger.

Phil has actually exceeded my hopes and expectations. I am thrilled that The Mick has won 34 PGA TOUR titles. Only 12 men, all legends of the game, have won more times on TOUR than Phil. And I have no doubt that Phil will win more.

So I'm not raising my hand, JP. As a Phil phan, I am proud of The Mickmeister. Has he disappointed me? Many times. Has he broken my heart? More times than I care to remember. But he has also thrilled me. And he will again.