This special edition article is presented because I like to share great sporting moments as I see fit. The last time I did this was when my beloved Australian Football team ‘Richmond Tigers‘ won their third premiership in 4 years. This year they have their backs up against the wall to accomplish the 3-peat because their 5 best midfielders are injured. If Richmond somehow won the premiership for their third in a row at 5 wins 5 losses so far this season considering their injuries and the clear umpiring bias (to even the competition because that’s how society is now), then I would consider my Tiges the greatest team dynasty in the history of sport.
Pardon me, I got sidetracked there. The reason for today’s post is to highlight Phil Mickelson’s win today at the PGA Championship. Lets break down why this win will go down in the annals like Tiger Woods comeback win at the 2019 Masters. Firstly Phil Mickelson is 50 years old and he was paying 280-1 before the tournament to win. I had watched him in previous tournaments leading up to this Mayor and personally I had written him off at even being able to contend let alone win another mayor. I wouldn’t normally do that with a 5 time Mayor winner (now six time), but I did based on his ‘game’ leading into this.
It’s weird I follow golf because its one of the few sports I didn’t have any flair at competing in my youth. I was so bad at it. Like really bad! I remember my father confessing to me after my wrists jerked involuntarily at every putt, ‘Umm perhaps this sport isn’t for you son’. Even in my twenties I tried to master it, playing by myself at obscure courses in Canberra, but I couldn’t get a grip on it literally and metaphorically. My father and brother were solid players and I suppose it’s because of their passion I came back to respecting it later in life. Also as we are perpetually in lockdown here, what the f/&k else will I watch (509 people died today). It’s a great relief to see these skilful players carefully traverse these wonderful landscapes and watch a rambunctious crowd unmasked cheering on their heroes. That’s the closest to ‘freedom’ I have got in many months.
The following statistic about Phil’s efforts is wild. Ok ready?…
On the 16th at the Kiawah course today, where everyone chasing Phil (who held a 2 shot lead) had to make a go of catching him on this Par 5. Naturally you would expect his younger rivals to easily outdrive him to achieve the ascendency on this hole. But Phil hit the longest drive today on the 16th at 362 yards outdoing anyone on the course today at the moment most critical. Now if that isn’t the stuff of sporting legend I don’t what is. He now is the oldest Mayor champion in history. That is extraordinary when you consider that the Mayors have existed since the mid 1800s.
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I like it when the older athletes rise to the occasion.
Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer are the ones I remember from my youth.
I hardly watched it in my youth on account of the time zones in Australia. Older athletes rarely remain competitive especially in this day and age where sporting success seems more attributed to the physical prowess and talent of youth. Even a game not associated with being physical such as Chess; the very best find themselves retiring in their 30’s as their creative instincts don’t work like they did in their youth. I remember seeing Phil only recently have a stint in the Seniors tournament since he was struggling to find any inkling of success in the PGA. The fact he outdrove everyone yesterday including Koepka and DeChambers is in itself remarkable.
I feel like he won one for us older guys lol. I watched it some as a kid…when Jack or Arnold played…I never learned it well though.
I agree it gives us some hope, that we can still mix it with the best of them
That is what I want to think anyway Matt!
I meant to ask you Max if you read this article today – ‘Bob Dylan: 80 things you may not know about him on his 80th birthday’ https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56716269 There wasn’t anything here I didn’t already know, but it was cool none the less.
Yea I’m with you on it but it’s some fun facts.
Run of the Mill Dylan trivia, but still hip that he gets a shout-out
I’m just glad that people everywhere are remembering…
I think anything factually historic that is upheld by the media can only be good
Here’s another post about Bob for his 80th: https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/7482615/posts/3356035116