HUMBLE — Phil Mickelson is golf's version of a ditzy blonde. Never mind that his actual hair color is brown or that he's a 42-year-old who's as grown man as Mike Gundy ever was.
Mickelson is still as flighty as anyone in PGA Tour history. He could convincingly star in a remake of Dude, Where's My Car? or come up with a great scientific discovery. You never know what Phil you're going to get — and you'll often get different versions in the same round of golf.
Damn, if he doesn't still make it work for him though.
In fact, Mickelson's used his bubbleheaded character to become one of the most mentally strong competitors in professional sports. And when did you ever think that'd be possible for Phil Mickelson, Mr. 18th at Winged Foot himself?
Few men recover better than Mickelson though and he's flashing his escape artist bit again at the Shell Houston Open, pushing himself back into contention in a tournament he almost completely brain farted away more than once. Only Mickelson could turn a 4-under with five holes to go on day one into a 72 and emerge smiling. Only Mickelson could virtually kill a promising second round by letting a pitch on 18 roll back to him and then come back even stronger the very next morning.
Yes, even Phil knows he doesn't want to be thinking too much. He's learned to get out of his own head.
Sometimes it seems like Phil Mickelson is playing Russian roulette with himself.
Officially, Saturday was Crazy Sock Day at the Houston Open — a tribute to George H.W. Bush, a big tournament supporter, that CultureMap's own fashion maven Clifford Pugh would have loved. And a small, but devoted segment of the crowd — and several players — participated. But really, it was just another Crazy Phil Day.
On a day when former No. 1 Rory McIlroy cannot come close to making himself really relevant (McIlroy is falling faster than Milli Vanilli), Mickelson shoots a 5-under 67 to lurch back into the Sunday picture, smiling all the way. Mickelson is still a long shot to win this thing for the second time in three years. He sits in a tie for 21st, five strokes back, with 16 players within three shots of the 11-under lead, including proven names like Stewart Cink (the co-leader with Bill Haas) and Lee Westwood, who is 9-under despite hitting three balls into the water on one hole in his first round.
But Phil has once again made it . . . interesting.
This is what he does — as others fall apart around him.
"Each day the game has gotten a little bit better, and today is where it really started to feel good, where I was able to react," Mickelson says. "When I'm playing my best golf becomes kind of a reactionary sport where I'm looking at the target. I see the shot and just swing."
Yes, even Phil knows he doesn't want to be thinking too much. He's learned to get out of his own head. It's a trait McIlroy would be wise to start working on if he ever wants to catch Mickelson in major wins, let alone Tiger.
Restless Rory
McIlroy is still floundering after a Saturday 71. The man who thought he'd usurped Tiger Woods suddenly specializes in strange decisions. McIlroy quit in the middle of a round in Florida and now he's canceled on UNICEF, scrapping a humanitarian mission to Haiti because his caddie convinced him he'd be wise to play in San Antonio of all places next week instead.
How many things do you think Steve Williams ever talked Tiger Woods into?
It'd be anything but a shock if Mickelson becomes one of the oldest major winners in history in a few years.
Golf is a sport where self belief sometimes matters above all else. McIlroy is searching for his lost guts, while Mickelson never seems to misplace his these days.
Remember how critics used to chide Mickelson about his conditioning early in his career? Now, it'd be anything but a shock if Mickelson becomes one of the oldest major winners in history in a few years. Lefty's still got some staying power.
On Saturday he talked about trying to take a page out of Jack Nicklaus' book when it comes to Masters preparation this year. With the Houston Open pushed up a week, and San Antonio offering nothing close to Masters conditions (sorry Rory), Mickelson has no choice but to take the kind of break Nicklaus usually did before majors.
So did Mickelson just talk to Jack? Not quite.
"Years ago," he says when asked about when he had this conversation with the Golden Bear. "Years ago when I first turned pro. When I first turned pro — 20 years ago — I asked (Nicklaus) about some stuff, and I still remember.
"I wrote some of it down."
Mickelson isn't always a ditz. That's some serious presence of mind.
Think it's coincidence that the big-hearted, but clueless dad on Modern Family is named Phil? Mickelson should be a consultant for the guy playing Phil Dunphy.
This Southern California native always seems extra happy in Houston. This is where his wife and mom's breast cancers were attacked and handled. He memorably had MD Anderson cancer doctor Tom Buchholz caddie for him in the Masters storied Par 3 Tournament last year. And he's paid homage to the hospital with his words again this week.
The Kid Zone at the Shell Houston Open — the little fenced-off area by the scorer's tent where children 13 and under can wait to try and snag autographs — also always benefits from Phil's presence.
But in truth, Mickelson seems happy at most tournaments these days.
It's almost like his Phil Moments don't even bother him anymore. He's immune to the stuff. At this point in his career, he's almost embraced it.
Do you think it's coincidence that the big-hearted, but clueless dad on Modern Family is a guy named Phil from Southern California? Please. Phil Mickelson should be a consultant for the actor playing Phil Dunphy.
Like Dunphy, Mickelson always seems to walk away unscathed from any mess he creates. Whether it's complaining about taxes when he's banking $50 million a year or leaving a pitch shot rolling right back to his feet.
There are few guys tougher in sports. Yes, Phil Mickelson. Who would have ever thought?
Crazy Sock Day at the Shell Houston Open brought out some Robert Griffin III-worthy Superman socks.
