Why America Loves Phil

As he stormed back into the picture with a final round of 65, Phil Mickelson captured the crown at the Tour Championship on Sunday, and continued to capture the hearts of America. He entered the round four shots out of the lead, and finished three shots ahead of the pack- we all cheered.

What is it about “Lefty” that makes him the constant underdog, though his FedEx ranking suggests otherwise? Maybe it was the string of runner-up finishes that seemed to act as a dark cloud following him from major to major, or the fact that Tiger Woods always seems to have the secret recipe for his defeat.

I believe we all want to root for Mickelson because we all see a little bit of ourselves, our family, and our neighbors in Phil. He seems like the guy next door you could baby-sit for, borrow some milk from, or just chat in the front yard. He doesn’t seem affected by his millions, nor has he basked in the bright lights of fame.

This past year has also added an element of humanity to Phil, as he’s struggled with the breast cancer diagnosis of both his wife and mother. It seems as if we can all relate, as countless individuals are affected by cancer day in and day out—whether you’re a world class golfer or not. We have cheered for Phil on and off the golf course, cheered for Amy, and cheered for the quick recovery of his mother.

What a great win for Phil this Sunday to mark the conclusion of an undeniably roller coaster year. Our hearts are continually sending our words of support and comfort, while our voices are persistently encouraging and rooting for the guy and golfer next door that everyone seems to love—Phil Mickelson.