But being a FIGJAM, by definition, requires a massive ego. Unfortunately, such megalomania often clouds sound decision-making. That was exactly what happened to Phil at the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot.
Playing in front of a Phil-friendly crowd, Phil was determined to show off his golf skills at every available opportunity. Time and time again, Phil chose to dazzle rather than to play it smart. For the most part, he got away with it, flashing that FIGJAM smile whenever he did. But when you laugh in the faces of the Golf Gods, expect to be struck down.
Holding a one shot lead on the 18th tee, Mickelson only needed a par for the victory. A safe fairway wood off the tee would have been the wise choice, but that's beneath a FIGJAM. No, a FIGJAM needs to hit driver to impress. Phil sliced his drive so badly off the tee that it hit a hospitality tent and landed between the trees onto the spectator-trampled rough. Chipping back onto the fairway would have all but guaranteed a bogey and a playoff with Geoff Ogilvy, but again, that's beneath a FIGJAM. Phil just couldn't resist the temptation of bringing the house down with a miraculous 3-iron through the trees and onto the green. Only the miracle didn't happen. Phil's ill-advised 2nd shot hit a tree and dashed his hopes of winning.
"Discretion is the better part of valor" is an old expression derived from Shakespeare's King Henry the Fourth. It means that caution is preferable to rash bravery. Phil must not have paid much attention in English class because it is a lesson that he continues to ignore and this time it cost him a U.S. Open. But I don't think that he was too upset by it since he was smiling the whole time.
19 comments:
I loved Johnny Miller's comment that Phil could've won with a par on 18, and didn't have to go charging down the fairway "on a white stallion." I was surprised Phil didn't heave right there on the final green--he certainly looked to be on the verge. The real tragedy of the Open was Montgomery--he tried to win by playing 18 conservatively and just fell apart. To keep your Shakespearian references going, Monty was like poor King Lear, too feeble to dig out of the hole he dug for himself. Tragedy.
Whilst a little harsh (maybe)I will admit I was one of the people who whilst sat watching the debacle that was the 18th issued forth a loud (to paraphrase a Simpsons character) HA HA....
Even I (a relatively high handicapper) have learnt the basic premise of KISS (Keep it simple stupid) whilst on the course...
I disagree with you totally, pal. It's only a game, just entertainment and think how boring it would be without the shoot for the pin and go for it attitude of Phil Mickelson. Without him and a few others we have a game of robots. And who are you to judge Phil, you don't even know him. Judge not lest ye be judged, ever heard of that? Might try it. I think the guy is great for golf and don't care whether he won or not, he played his way, like it or not.
I concur. The only thing as amazing was how the spectators acted like numbnuts by cheering his poor performance on.
Could you imagine hanging out with Jack watching Phil implode yesterday? Jack must have been going crazy.
And where was Bones, Phil's caddy? Knock a 3 iron down there and a 4 iron on the green man.
I now know what the acronym stands for. Thanks!
I am disheartened to know that the gentlemen and family men of the pga tour use that nasty language though.
In the vast scheme of things, this melt-down was probably good for old smiley-face....he is weird in a way, that it's in the sand...he smiles...it's in the trees...he smiles...it's in the hole...yeah, still smiling....kind of creepy...
Hubris brought him to this point, and for his sake I hope he has learned something...I mean,not only is his wife hot and kids beautiful, but he is stinkin' rich...but humility is sometimes the best path, Phil.
Good comments....
Phil Mickelson plays golf like George Bush wages war: with a reckless abandon that occassionally leads to success but all too often leaves him with a Winged Foot in his mouth.
Thank you for reporting the meaning of the acronym "FIGJAM". It seems very similar to "FISJAM" which means F*"k I'm smart just ask me", You know people who thionk theire opinions are so inspireed and enlightened they can criticize everyone but the person in the mirror. And so insecure that no one can post an opposing opinion without FISJAM's permission!What would you have done,oh Great FISJAM?
I am not a "Lefty" fan.
However I wouldn't kick him when he is down.
More than grouchy thats just plain mean.
Mickelfat choked. Plain and simple. And Eric, quit trying to deflect criticism away from Fat Phil to Monty. In Monty's position he thought he needed birdie and the pressure on him to make 3 was far greater than Phil, who only needed to grab a 3-wood, 9-iron and a putter for the win. In that scenario, Phil takes double out of the picture and assures himself of a win or playoff.
Phil's screwup was McAvoyish. So let us usher in a new nickname for the Philly Cheesesteak: Tin Head. Legendary ballstriking, to go along Legendary ill-decisions. It was only a matter of time before he melted down at the end of a major.
Jean Van de Velde must be smiling somewhere right now.
I don't generally invest my emotions in the goings-ons of professional sports athletes, so I won't comment on some of those comments here. But the facts are the facts, and here they are:
1. The 18th hole is 450 yards with a sweeping dogleg left.
2. The corner, as measured by the USGA (and found on their usopen.com website), is 282 yards from the tee.
3. In interviews a few days after, Phil's caddie, Jim Mackay, told us that Phil didn't carry a 3-wood at the Open, choosing to carry an extra wedge instead. The next club down from his driver was a 4-wood.
4. There was at least a 10 mph headwind at the time Phil was teeing off from the 18th.
I love Phil. So he over cut his drive. You never did? Had he hit it straight he'd be a hero and you'd be idolizing him.
Phil's smile is a pschology trick that works very well. In the face of intense fear you smile to trick your body and mind into thinking that you aren't about to be run over by a train. It worked well enough to get him 1 hole from 3 straight majors.
I loved watching Phil gag almost as much as Wie doing the same thing !
Your hatred of Phil and adoration of Michelle/Tiger is disturbing. I feel that you are obsessed with golf celebrities. Let's see, Tiger won't sign an autograph, but Phil will sign a ton. Terrible guy that Mickelson is. Phil gets a lucky kick off a fan's broken watch, out comes compensation from Phil himself, insincere man indeed. I think some people just hate nice guys.
Phil got into position to win by playing the way he does. i have seen him many times pull off those shots. i have seen him hit it right handed with a club turned upside down. I have seen him hit it backwards, and he loves the game. A few times he has been wrong, it is not a choke, but a misshit. My wife get mad when I can get chipshots close almost every time form terrible lies, then I miss one and blow up. She tells me 95% of the time you make it, accept the other 5%, okay? Phil could have made that shot 6 out of 10 times. By the way, the way out to the fairway did have a few brachces hanging down, it was not a gimme shot.
Phil's decision was a bad one. It happens all the time to pro's. He was confident with his driver that year. In 2004 he won the masters with a 3-wood off the tee on 18. He should've done the same. I won't speculate whether he is a fraud or insincere, because I like to think he's a cool guy. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, since I've never even been in the same room as the man. It's unfair to judge him on what we "hear" from guys on tour.
Sometime I use the term FIGITY. The last 3 letters mean I'll Tell Ya. I think that sums up some of the non achievers.
ex Australia
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