Tiger Woods still has the game but should Mickelson get the glory?

Cheering on Phil Mickelson at the Masters this weekend was easy to do. His charisma emanated from all corners of Augusta National Golf Club; the world could feel his warmth. Lefty pulled the golf fans into his world, making sure to smile and greet all as he walked through Amen Corner and down the home stretch.

After sinking a birdie at eighteen to place his name among three-time winners such as Sam Snead and Jimmy Demaret, Mickelson greeted his wife Amy and their children with honesty and passion that most women would have swooned over. There was probably not a dry eye in the entire viewing audience.

In stark contrast, Tiger Woods' dissatisfaction with his fourth place finish was barely gracious. There was no mention of how K.J. Choi kept pace over four grueling days at Augusta, no positive reinforcements about his own game and certainly not the Tiger Woods who grew up in front of our eyes.

With cursing and apologies becoming more frequent and Woods literally falling to pieces in front of our eyes, the old Tiger is gone and the new Woods is far from warm and fuzzy.

Golf has always tried to maintain a positive, wholesome image. With Tiger Woods' shift from family man to player, could Phil Mickelson be the new genuine image and front man of the sport?

Whereas Woods was swearing on the course and "coming across as a little petulant -- not terribly gracious in defeat," said Bob Dorfman, executive creative director for Baker Street Advertising, Mickelson's family man image was seen as a role model and could make advertisers take notice.

One problem with Mickelson as a leading man is that he is not as recognizable as Woods. Phil hasn't gained the facial or name recognition and a person like him needs wins and that center stage in publicity to keep him in the public eye," concludes John Antil, Professor of Marketing at the University of Delaware.

That lack of visibility could change with wins and only if Mickelson decides that the spotlight is what he truly wants.

Of course being in the spotlight has it's own disadvantages. With rumors now circulating about a fling between Amy Mickelson and Michael Jordan and a love child from Phil, perhaps it is better if Mickelson keeps his head down?

Great Masters Moments from Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh

Being that Masters week is in full swing, I selected a few great moments in golf to get viewers ready for the first major event of the season.

The first video is a Tiger Woods classic chip shot at Augusta National and remains one of the most recognizable shots in golf. The second video is of Phil Mickelson and an amateur skipping golf balls across the water at the 16th hole, a tradition before the Masters.

Finally, Vijay Singh shows us how to get a hole-in-one in a most exciting fashion.

Enjoy!













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Bizarre Headlines from Tiger Woods to John Daly Cheapen Masters Ambience

Each year during Masters week, the game of golf has been reflected upon in its purest form. Golfers of days gone by were revered, statistics and quotes of incredible shots were remembered and everyone was deciding on the "right" way to make a pimento cheese sandwich.

Do a Google search this week for "Masters" and a more bizarre and less "Southern" feeling emerges.

John Daly has set up his RV directly across the street from the Augusta National parking lot conducting his own business by selling and signing memorabilia to fans. Daly was not invited to Augusta National as a guest but decided to show up anyway, hoping to make more money in sales than from an appearance fee.

There is more Tiger Woods chat than you can shake a stick at since he is the big draw this week and the reason for an 82-person security detail. Partnering with Woods will be K.J. Choi and Matt Kuchar. The big scoop, however, is that former(?) mistress Joslyn James will be headlining her own act in nearby Atlanta.

James is making a special appearance at the Pink Pony strip club during Masters week. The Pink Pony is playing up the Tiger Woods/Joslyn James scenario by offering directions from Augusta National to (another good ole boys) Club and the tag line, "The former porn star will be dancing on the bars while Tiger is hitting pars!"

Two greats of the game are also making their appearance in the news, Fred Couples and Raymond Floyd. Couples thinks he still has a chance to win and Floyd realizes that it's the end of the line and is calling it quits after 45 Masters Tournaments. Couples should consider sticking with the Champions Tour because even though he has won three times this year and placed second, no fifty-year old golfer has ever won The Masters.

This year at Augusta National will certainly NOT be your father's Masters!