Will Phil Mickelson hang up his golf shoes for cleats?

Although FedEx golf rankings show Phil Mickelson in ninth place with a chance to win ten million dollar prize at the end of the 2012 season, his weekly record is not so good begging the question, "Is Phil Mickelson making his last stand in golf?" Is it time for Lefty to move on to his next adventure...in baseball?

PGA Tour golf tournaments from January through the present show an uneven season at best for Phil with one win at Pebble Beach, two cuts and one withdrawal at the Memorial in May. Although Mickelson played admirably at the Masters, he considers Augusta National to be one of his favorite and "fun" golf courses to play in spite of course changes which he believes to have hampered his birdie-making abilities.

The U.S. Open, on the other hand, was a complete disaster for Phil this year finishing in a tie for 65th position.

The European Tour may help to put Phil's golf game on the right track for the Open Championship. Mickelson left his family in Rome to grab the last sponsor's exemption in the Scottish Open hoping that preparations here will lead to a win at Royal Lytham next week. Lefty struggled yesterday stating, "I’ve played very poorly, and I added this week because I need to play a bit more,” Today Phil rebounded with a 64 to lie five shots off the pace further proving his uneven tendencies.

So what is a professional golfer who is playing poorly supposed to do? If it's Phil Mickelson, hedge his bets and buy into a baseball team!

Although it has been in the news for weeks that Mickelson wants to buy into the San Diego Padres along with an investment group that includes former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley, the deal said to be at $800 million is close to finalizing with Phil excited at the prospect of ownership and creating  "a personal involvement with the players and the community."

Is Mickelson planning a move on to the next stage of his life, namely a career as a baseball team owner? Well, Phil cited fatigue when he W/D'd at the Memorial and he has Psoriatric arthritis which hampers his ability to play golf. Mickelson is also in the 'over-forty" crowd on the PGA Tour with young guns easily pumping out 350 yard plus drives, forcing Phil to work harder at playing safe, which is not in his DNA.

That being said, I think that if the San Diego Padres deal goes through, expect to see Phil Mickelson sporting a baseball cap in 2013 and ditching his KPMG logo (although there's still plenty of room for that sponsorship on his cap too!)

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photo credit: BittenandBound.com

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2012 U.S. Women's Open Comes Full Circle from Se Ri Pak to N.Y. Choi

The final round of the 2012 U.S. Women's Open was an exciting look at how both skill, spirit and a little bit of luck played a part in the golf tournament. Although Na Yeon Choi pulled several tee shots into the woods, she never lost her cool and bowed briefly before her idol, Se Ri Pak, as if to say "thank you" for paving the way for Korean dominance in women's golf.

 

 

Here are a few quirky and funny notes and quotes from the final round of the U.S. Women's Open.

 

On Na Yeon Choi’s par-save from the tall grass on No. 12:

Dan Hicks – “She has experienced every type of emotion you can possibly have on the last three holes.”

Dottie Pepper – “Houdini would have been proud.”

On Na Yeon Choi’s tee shot off the rocks on 13:

Dan Hicks – “This is one of the biggest roller coaster rides I have seen in a long time on the back nine at an Open.”

On Na Yeon Choi’s lucky bounce past the bunker on her drive at 15:

Dottie Pepper – “I’m thinking if I’m Na Yeon Choi, I send my manager to go buy a lottery ticket.”

On Na Yeon Choi as she set up for a long putt on 16:

Dottie Pepper - “She’s put enough stress on herself to go around for a few people.”

On Na Yeon Choi after she made a long putt on 16, to go 8-under-par:

Dan Hicks - “It’s starting to look like destiny.”

On Na Yeon Choi:

Dan Hicks - “South Korean domination. We are going to have the tenth different Korean to win a women’s major, all in the last 15 years. Na Yeon Choi looks like she will be the latest.”

After microphones captured Na Yeon Choi speaking with her caddie before a shot on 18:

Annika Sorenstam – “Did you talk a lot with your caddie?”

 

Dottie Pepper- “I did, but I liked comparisons from other rounds. I have a really good memory for numbers. I always wanted to know how the hole I was playing compared to other holes. I could then make the appropriate decisions.”

On Na Yeon Choi:

Roger Maltbie - “She just never seemed to lose her cool. This girl is a solid player. She is going to be around for a long time.”

On Na Yeon Choi winning the 67^th U.S. Women’s Open:

Dan Hicks – “This championship has come full circle. From Se Ri Pak in 1998 to Na Yeon Choi in 2012.”

 

 

Thanks to the NBC Sports Group for providing me with this information.

 

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Lexi Thompson Sports Independence Day Golf Spirit at U.S. Women's Open

From the patriotic spectators watching the U.S. Women's Open Championship to superstar golfer Lexi Thompson out on the fairway, many showed off their red, white and blue spirit in Wisconsin this week.

 

Take a look at these people wearing a flag on their pants and tell me what you think. Personally, I don't believe in wearing the flag on my bottom but that's just my opinion. Old Glory should be displayed but perhaps instead flying majestically from a pole?

 

 

Below is seventeen year-old Lexi Thompson hitting a chip shot in her red, white and blue outfit at the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open at Blackwolf Run Golf Course in Kohler, Wisconsin. With a strong start and currently in a tie the lead, Thompson's sixth U.S. Women's Open could be her winning moment.

 

Lexi has the right idea about how to attack Blackwolf Run. "I would definitely take four rounds at 2-under par, but I’m just going to try to do the same thing I did today and stay confident, patient,” Thompson said. “That’s pretty much all you have to do in an Open out there.”

 

Finally, in my opinion, amateur Samantha Marks rocked the course with this terrific Independence Day golf outfit:

 

Photo: Zimbio.com

 

The U.S. Women’s Open runs July 2-8 and children seventeen and under receive complimentary admission with a ticketed adult, all week-long. If you can't watch the action live in Kohler, Wisconsin, make sure you check out the extended TV coverage on ESPN2 and NBC on the weekend.

 

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2012 U.S. Womens Open promises exciting golf on pristine course

Although the 2012 U.S. Women's Open Championship week officially begins on July 2nd with flag-waving events planned for the entire week, I'm not sure how many people are aware of the history, kickoff, players or even knowledgeable about the beautiful Blackwolf Run golf courses. Allow me to brief you so that you will want to tune in and cheer on the ladies!

To be brief, the U.S. Women's Open is the oldest championship (63 years) open to women professionals and amateurs. This year's "Kohler Experience" in Wisconsin hopes to recreate a sudden death playoff that epitomizes the "Open" feel which occured thirteen years ago at this venue between Se-Ri Pak and amateur golfer Jenny Chuasiriporn.

The River and Meadow Valleys Course will merge for the 2012 U.S. Women's Open to recreate the Original Championship course, a sort of "composite course" of the two very challenging layouts.

The "Snake", first hole of the River Course, may get you on the green in two with a solid drive but you must favor the right side of a deep green to avoid the bunker and river on the left.



No matter how scary "Snake" might look, it is not the official starting point of the U.S. Women's Open Championship: golfers will have to wait until the tenth hole to feel it's bite.

The first hole will officially make the girls "Quiver".  Normally the tenth hole of the Meadow Valleys Golf Course, Quiver is a Par 4, 348 yard hole "with a daunting tee shot across the Sheboygan River to a fairway that narrows as you get closer to the green. Favoring the middle to left side of the fairway from the tee with a driver or 3-wood will open up your approach to the green. The approach shot requires an additional one to two clubs into an elevated green."


View great pictures of the Championship Course on the official U.S. Women's Open Facebook page.

With regards to the ladies, the group of entrants ranges from newcomer (and Tiger Woods' niece) Cheyenne Woods to more familiar faces Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel and world-ranked number-one women's golfer Yani Tseng. The U.S. Women's Open Championship is always an exciting event with the outcoming not being a runaway but I'll lay my odds on Yani Tseng as the eventual winner. Who is your choice to win?

Watch first and second-round coverage of the 2012 U.S. Women's Open July 5, 6, from 4-8 pm on ESPN2. NBC will air live third and fourth round coverage from 3-6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

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Is Cheyenne a chip off the old Tiger Woods?

In a recent press release it was said that Cheyenne Woods, the niece of Tiger you-know-who, is now representing the Nike Golf brand "from head-to-toe" using Nike apparel, equipment and accessories. Will Cheyenne be a better representative than her better known uncle?

Cheyenne Woods not only earned her college degree from Wake Forest U but also commanded great respect on the golf course. If this sounds like Uncle Tiger in any way, it should, with one exception. Although Tiger Woods was awarded a golf scholarship to Stanford University and made NCAA All American (among other great golf achievements), he only stayed through his sophomore year. That being said, Tiger's high school mates deemed him, "Most Likely to Succeed."

On the golf course, both Cheyenne and Tiger Woods have an unflappable quality. Cheyenne's golf coach recently said that the young Woods's strength is in her mental game. Most people who have watched Tiger Woods perform agree that the same is true of him.

That being said, neither of the Woods' future is yet written. Tiger Woods' life circumstances has dragged his name through the mud and has impeded upon his mental stamina while Cheyenne's journey is just beginning with a life ahead full of surprises. Either way, Nike has smartly taken a chance on the All-American to set an example for the Woods name.

Next stop for Cheyenne Woods is a spot in the U.S. Women's Open. All eyes will be on her, waiting for the magic to happen. Perhaps she is the Woods that can change the face of women's golf, make it more visible and interesting to the masses?

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Mohegan Sun Country Club Golf Course Shines in Connecticut

Although Mohegan Sun calls its Country Club “Connecticut’s best kept secret”, once a golfer stands upon this golf course’s cushioned tee boxes and walks along its pristine fairways, word will most certainly spread.

For any golfer visiting Mohegan Sun for the obvious fun, your stay would not be complete without playing eighteen holes at the newly redesigned Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug. Located about fifteen minutes from the hotel/casino, the drive time is worth the effort as this parkland-like golf course boasts a redesign with added yardage and all new greens. We played a best-ball format and although we didn’t hit out of the sand, we raked bunkers which were thick and powdery.

From the moment Barry and I walked towards the welcoming clubhouse, we were greeted by everyone from the attendant who hoisted our bags to members who were eager to share the history of their golf course (and on which hole they made an ace!) Even former pro football player Ahmad Rashad gave us a pep-talk before our round! This friendliness made me feel at home and, while on the small yet efficient practice range, I felt like a member of this exclusive private club, not just a guest.

The practice putting green is well manicured and resembles the golf course greens in speed and lie. It is important to get in a bit of practice here before heading out to the first tee as you will learn much about the course and feel more comfortable as you enter the 18-hole 6471-yard (from the blues) maze of forestry, sand and water.

Our group began Media Day scramble format on the ninth hole, a 411-yard (blue tee/349 ladies) par-4 with a pretty view of trees and a big bite which started our team off with a bogey.



in spite of its straight-forward appearance.The tenth hole, "Double Down", a 353-yard par-4, put us right back into the game with a birdie. Although it's a relatively short hole, the fairway on ten is surrounded by water with bunkers left, right and center of the fairway forcing a golfer to be precise or land in the drink.

One memorable hole on the course was the redesigned sixth, a tricky 485-yard par-5 in which you might focus your attention on the small waterfall on the right side of the fairway while the left drop surrounding the green tricks you into thinking you can go for it. Yes I did "go for it"...I thought I took enough club and guess where I landed? Smart play on this golf course is essential in order to score well, and golf training aids might have been a help here in advance.



Barry’s favorite golf hole was the seventh, High Meadow, the number-one handicap hole on the course. This 384-yard par-4  is deceptively difficult for it's length yet Barry played it wisely from tee to green making a birdie without assistance from his playing partners.



A warm welcome did not just begin at the golf course, it extended throughout the Mohegan Sun hotel. Aquai is a Mohegan word meaning "welcome" and is not just a term that is bandied about, it was shown by all of the employees we encountered within Mohegan Sun “country”.

We would like to thank Mohegan Sun for the five-star attention given to us at both the Country Club and throughout their property.

Like Mohegan Sun on Facebook and be sure to follow on Twitter @MoheganSun.

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