Phil Mickelson nearly made history at the Waste Management Phoenix Open this past weekend.
Mickelson, the most popular player in the field, had one birdie putt to make to shoot a 59 in the first round. Making the final putt would have put him in a very small group to break 60 on the PGA tour.
Mickelson had two chances for the birdie putt on his last two holes. On the eighth hole, his birdie putt landed inches short of the hole.
Then, on the ninth hole, Mickelson tapped the ball, took a couple steps — putter in arm — ready to celebrate the monstrous round only to see the ball lip-out of the hole in the last second.
It was the largest change in motion I have seen. The ball was on track to land in the hole but slightly changed direction at the last second.
Jim Mackay, his longtime caddie, was seen collapsing.
Moments like these remind us of the human element in the games we love so much, especially in golf.
Even though they are professionals, they will make mistakes. They are just as emotionally invested in the games as the fans are.
Reach the reporter at justin.janssen@asu.edu
