The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 5 of 16)

p> TRAGIC FINISH br> Re: Lawrence Henry's Dumb Golf : /p> p>I was sitting in the 18th hole grandstands on Sunday and saw Mickelson's position quite clearly. After the tournament I walked over to the position of his drive to see what it looked like. He had no view of the green or even the crossover point at 80 yards. His only option was to pitch out to the fairway where he would have had a chance to get up and down for the win or at least guaranteed a playoff. That he chose not to do this is more a function of his personality then the way he played the other 71 holes. People will forget that Colin Montgomery, who was tied for the lead, was in the fairway with an easy shot to the center of the green yet he also let his demons destroy his hopes for winning a major championship. Major championships are lost in critical situation where the player's inner demons overwhelm him. Phil lost because he has always been a gambler and Monty lost because he let his self doubts destroy his confidence. That both players were in a position to win and failed to do so is a function of their personal flaws and not because of their club selection on the tee on 18. br> -- Jerrold Goldblatt /p> p> Great piece on Phil Mickelson at the U.S. Open. However, I have one minor quibble. Lawrence keeps crowing about why Phil and other players don't use a driving iron. The reason why is that 1 and 2 irons are going the way of the dodo bird. If you go into any golf shop you will find that hybrid clubs are everywhere. They are much easier to hit from the fairway and rough than the old butter knife. Three and 4 irons may soon become extinct as well. I replaced my 3 iron with a hybrid and it is much easier to hit from fairway and rough. Some iron sets these days are sold as 4-PW or have hybrids replacing the 3 and 4 in the set. What may surprise ol' Lawrence is that the pros are agreeing with average amateurs and are carrying hybrids in their bags as well. Lawrence, it's time for you to join the rest of us in the 21st century and hit a hybrid. br> -- Michael Palmer /p>

As Phil Mickelson strode toward the 18th tee box at Winged Foot on Sunday afternoon through a throng of frenzied adoration, a much coveted U.S. Open trophy but a single par away, one can imagine the melodious whispering of his bad angel. "It's not only about winning, Lefty," went the treacherous advice, "it's about doing it with panache; so go ahead and take out the Big Stick!!"

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