I was at the St. Jude Classic today and followed Phil for his entire round. Phil was extremely chatty with the other players; he was actually kind of loud. I overheard him talking to Cameron Beckman about frequent flyer miles hahaha. He gave golf balls to little kids numerous times. Now here is the good part. My little brother was trying to score one of Phil's golf balls while Phil was walking by. However, Phil did not have his ball out of his pocket. So my brother yells go Phil! And Phil goes out of his way to bump fists with my brother. Later, Phil is just done signing autographs and starts to turn around and head to the clubhouse, my brother rushes up to him just for fun and sticks out his fist. Phil goes out of his way again, turns around, and bumps fists. My brother was pretty pleased with himself. I have heard many times that Phil has a fake personality, but all I saw today was a good person who loves to interact with others while playing golf. So who do you think is the real Phil? Any stories?

I think what we "hear" is that Phil doesn't get along with the other pros in the locker room. He golfs then spends his time with family. I think he's just really misunderstood by the other pros because he has other priorities. You can't be friends with everyone... not enough time.

I love Phil.

sorry, but that's definitely not why they don't like Phil. there are many family oriented guys on tour, they don't have issues with that at all.

I received a fist pump from Phil while he was playing out of his mind during the 3rd round at Rivera this year. Pretty sweet.

Just use the little search feature at the top and you can get all the comments you need on this subject.

All I know is what I've seen and on numerous occasions he has been one of the most fan friendly and personable guys at tournaments. I was at the Ryder Cup at Valhalla and he was incredibly nice and took more time than anyone on the team to speak with fans and sign autographs. He may have been different in his younger days but the Phil of today appears to be a great guy.

I was there today also and he did seem extremely fan friendly. He started off on fire, birdied first two and had birdie opportunities on the next two. Great day.

Phil is usually great with the fans for the most part. When he is critisized it's usually about other things

I think this time he has extra incentive to go out of his way too, as the fans and players have been so supportive of his situation over the past few weeks. I'm sure he's extremely grateful for that and wants to put on a good show

no star in any sport that I know of spends more time signing autographs and being available to the people and media, is there someone else?

I really dont care what other pro's think of him.

What is the actual issue the other pro's have with phil? He seems to be nice 24/7 and clearly has a heart of gold.

Maybe other pros feel he is too worried about his image with his fans. Since he has pretty much become the life long underdog to tiger, it seems rooting for him is very easy and he is very likeable. Maybe he has rolled with that image by being an overly nice guy to the fans but maybe that isn't the same interaction that other pro's get from him, since what was mentioned earlier, he keeps to himself and his family more so.

All speculation of course.

Maybe the other Pro's are worried that all the interaction and autographs that Phil signs makes them look bad. Kinda hard to out do Phil when it comes to either one.

My first Tournament i ever went to was the 01 US Open at Southern Hills. After his round Phil was signing autographs and someone informed him that it was his time in the media room. Phil promised that he would be back after the interviews. 2 hours later, sure enough he came back and signed every autograph request. He didn't leave the course till close to 9PM and it was his BIRTHDAY!!

How many pro's would just duck out after their media obligations and not keep that promise?

I was 13 at the time and that class act was enough to make me a lifelong fan.

He seems like a nice guy. Is it real or not is your question? I don't think it matters because in the end he is being nice.

I'll never understand why more pros seem to like Tiger over Phil. I know all about the FIGJAM stuff but really come on.....while Tiger might not directly say he's good most of the strutting on the golf course should tell them enough.

For what the avid fan watching golf on TV, or even walking the ropes, see's of both players you would think that Phil would be one of the most players in the room...and Tiger would be hated as he is so distant and guarded.

Just my thoughts on the situation.

Where did the FIGJAM thing come from also?

I know what it means... just not what it is somewhat tied to Phil.

There was a story a while back in one of the major golf pubs that stated that Phil's nickname in the locker room was FIGJAM, behind his back of course.

With all of the over the top celebrating Tiger does after hit amazing shots (which he does do a lot of) you would think that the PGA pros would despise him. I'll never figure that one out.

IMO, Tiger gets a pass for three reasons:

1. He is a once in a lifetime talent and the other pros recognize this
2. He has single handedly made every other pro rich by changing the economics of the PGA tour product
3. He has a long memory, so probably not the best idea to get on his bad side (ask Rory)

All of this said, I dont see Tiger as very fan friendly and he manages the brand too tightly. I have been to a bunch of Masters, seen him up close in "Tiger only" dinners at the Accenture Match Play, and he reads off the same script every single time. I guess the benefit of intensity is winning, but would be nice to get more of him on the fan side...

Phil is a class act. What you seen was the real Phil.

It's the illegitimate child in Ohio that they have problems with, right? Or is it the story about Phil that supposed to come out right before the Masters that was going to let the whole world know exactly what kind of guy he really is? What happened to that story anyway?

He's more down to earth with fans when it's not a circus type atmosphere, which isn't often.

I've always wondered who these "tour pro's" are that everyone keeps talking about that don't like Phil. So far the only person I've heard say anything was Steve Williams. And after seeing all the guys dressed in pink lately, it seems like he's got a lot more friends than foes out there.

You hear people all the time say, " I heard this" or "I heard that" about Phil and they don't have one shred of evidence to back it up. Or they make make some vague allusion to something they supposedly know about but never actually say what is they "know". My post above references to outlandish rumors that have no factual basis whatsoever. I'm sure he has his moments just like anyone else in that he's not always the way he seems on t.v. However, I highly doubt he's Lee Trevino and is just putting on an act for the cameras.

that's how Phil is on the course every day...when you hear bad things about Phil, it comes from other tour players and is pretty much always about instances that happen behind closed doors/i.e. the locker room.

Richard Petty is widely known to spend hours signing autographs for fans. I'm sure Phil is up there, too.

I have always pulled for Tiger when he played against Mickelson, but if it weren't for Tiger Phil would be the standard which all of the other pro's are judged. He is without question the second best player in the world. I also think Phil is somone who recogonizes how lucky and blessed he is to get to earn a nice living playing this game. He has always gone out of his way to sign autographs and give balls and gloves to little kids.

I think this bad hand that he and his family have been dealt will probably make he even more giving. How many other pro's would have gotten the amount of support fromt he "Pink Out" that the Mickelson's got that Saturday. I wore my pink shirt at home while I watched.

My hope is that we see something like the "Amy Mickelson Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation" that would be as impressive as the "Susan Komen Foundation" so that as much attention and money as possible can be dedicated to stopping this horrible disease that affects so many women every year.

Your always going to hear stories of when a pro gives someone a bad look, or has a go at someone! But at the end of the day they cant be 100% happy and bubbly all the time!

They are only human, and when they have all these people asking them for autographs, just like us, they obviously must have other thoughts on there mind, whether its to do with family, or travelling or business, so you cant be suprised when sometimes they get moody when they have a load of annoying 10 year olds asking for gloves, balls, tees or whatever! They have other worries away from golf.

Since its "definitely" not the reason, I'm wondering what it might be- I have yet to hear or see one negative story about the man. That's not to say I've heard everything but enough to suggest otherwise...
Just wondering...

My grandfather was a volunteer at a practice round at a tournament one time (Can't remember which one). He was in charge of opening the walkway across a fairway, but there was always a pro teeing off. Finally, the number of people grew until he had to open it. Phil teed off and his ball gently rolled to the walkway while people were crossing. According to the grandpa, he came storming down and yelled at him for a good five to ten minutes for not closing the walkway. I mean, it was a practice round phil. Sack up.

So you can recall every detail of this situation except for what tournament it allegedly took place in? Rrrriiiggghhhtttt. I think, if you put some effort into it, it would be fairly easy to deduce what tournament it was.

If you want to get skeptical, I could ask him. I have no grudge against phil, and I assure you I didn't make this up. I remember him telling me a year or two ago, and I was intrigued by the story, but I don't try to remember every detail from conversations years ago.

No, just every detail.... but what tourney? Whatever tickles your golden brown!

Like I said a few posts ago, I don't think the Phil we see on t.v. is really how he is 100% of the time. Or even 80% of the time for that matter. But you have to admit, when people post stories on here about the bad side of Phil, and provide specific details of their interaction with him in which they were wronged, but can't remember general details such as what tournament it was or even what year it happened in, it all seems somewhat suspect. And you don't have to ask your Grandfather. Just let us know around what year you believe it took place and where your grandfather was living at the time and we can easily figure out what tourney this incident took place at. I've been to plenty of pro tournaments and the only guy I've seen REALLY act like a dick was Fulton Allem. And I'm basing my opinion on multiple, personal, observations. I wouldn't base an opinion any other way.

Phil is a good guy. Whenever someone points it out you get some supposed insider story from "guys in the lockeroom" but no names are ever mentioned. They might name some player but it is one story out of countless fan experiences where Phil is great with the fans especially kids.

If I was a pro I would sign stuff for kids but adults I would probably buy dozens of Cally balls with an autograph stamp and hand em out to the adults. People over the age of 18 asking for autograph's is silly.

Always some third or fourth party story. Phil gets loads of AH hecklers like the FIGJAM guy or the "get in the water" guy at Doral. Adults and kids vying for his attention before, during and after play. Afterwhile it probably would drive me up a wall but Phil seems to take it in stride.

The man is out there doing his job, trying to make a living, and concentrate at a very tough job against the best of the world. Meanwhile some person gets bent out of shape because Phil does not wave at him or did not sign something when he wanted to or whatever.

Phil supposedly spends hours afterwards signing stuff for kids. The other guy I have heard does not do that.

Right. And again, I'm not saying Phil's never had a moment where he's been a ******, because I'm sure it's happened. What I'm questioning is, the people who "know for a fact" that he's a dink, but yet, when pressed for information, hide behind the cloak "un-named sources" ala Tim Rosaforte. If you're bold enough to say you know something, you should be man enough to divulge your source (if it actually exists). It's pretty simple.

this thread's gone a bit crazy the past couple of days...i just love these posts about whatever Pro where some guy says "yeah well my so and so met him once and he was a d*ck". I don't know a single human being that hasn't had moments of being a jerk at some point, especially at their jobs when they are under intense pressure. Lord knows i've had my moments at my job, or on the golf course too...if you want to base opinions of someone based on one incident (especially if secondhand) it speaks more about you than the person in question

you presume that Phil would be motivated without Tiger to work out and get better at the game. Personally doubt that. He was on tour a while before TIger turned pro. He was very content going with the flow without any attempt to improve his fundamentally unsound swing, because he was winning the Phoenix and the tournament in Connecticut routinely. Occassionally contending in majors..
He was also not the autograph fan friendly guy in those days. That curiously happened after Tiger came on tour and was setting his pace..He saw an opportunity. A good one at that.

The post about him screaming at someone's granddad..that was him. I am glad to see this new maturity, but for those who "knew" him in those days, it only smacks of opportunism...and it's working..who am I to argue..It's all about image and marketing. Nothing wrong with a player maturing..we all improve with time...hopefully

The overall point is that no one knows any of these people. We have no idea if the other guy blows off kids, or if Phil kicks his dog at night. 'I heard" or "I have a buddy that" can't be backed up. These guys are at work. And they may want to focus in when they are practicing or actually playing. Why is it so hard for people to understand that they are WORKING?

"He was very content going with the flow without any attempt to improve his fundamentally unsound swing, because he was winning the Phoenix and the tournament in Connecticut routinely. Occassionally contending in majors.."

You just described the first 18 years of Tom Kites' career. Not sure where Mickelson figures into the conversation as he's won vitrually twice the amount of Tour events and 3 times as many majors as Kite has. Other than that, your're spot on.