Dubai: For a golfer of Phil Mickelson’s credentials, the only missing link in his CV is a number one ranking on the USPGA Tour over his career, which now spans over two decades. One of the best golfers of this generation, the left-handed American has five majors and is ninth in the all-time list of PGA Tour title-winners — but he has never managed to lay his hands on that coveted top spot.
As he takes a fresh guard for the new season ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championships from January 16-19, the 43-year-old seemed to be in no mood to stress himself out over the issue. “The No.1 spot does not really bother me anymore,” he told Gulf News in an exclusive interview, adding: “I’m not downplaying the significance of the ranking but my goal always has been to win the next tournament I enter and I’ve won a good number of events. If I continue to do that and never reach No.1, I’ll be okay with my career.”
The opening event of the 2014 European Tour boasts a star-spangled field that includes Henrik Stenson, the winner of both money lists last season, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and multiple winner Martin Kaymer, as well as Mickelson. “I am really looking forward to returning to Abu Dhabi. I had a great experience there in 2011 and have been trying to put it on my schedule ever since,” said the left-hander, who was inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame in 2012.
The new year will see the Californian embark on what will be his 22nd year as a pro, but the years have failed to make a dent in his professionalism and meticulous planning. An indication of that is his decision to cut down on tournaments in the new year with an eye to managing his workload better and arresting a possible end-of-season slide.
Admitting to his plans to cut down on his schedule, Mickelson said: “I am playing some of the best golf of my career and I’m healthy and enjoy playing. I’m focusing on the major championships, being ready to play my best on those biggest weeks of the year. To do that I may cut a tournament here, add one there, but the goal is to be peaking for the big events.
“I want to arrive at any tournament, and especially the majors, well rested and yet well prepared to get my best game out when it counts the very most.”
A look at Mickelson’s haul of majors shows the following break-up: three Masters, one PGA Championship and The Open only last year. The US Open, which he refers to as “our national championship”, has seen him finish runner-up an agonising six times, but Mickelson assures that he has no plans for giving up on its pursuit.
“It’s no secret that I would love to win the US Open as it’s our national championship. I’ve played very well in so many of them and finished just a shot or two back too often. But, 10 years ago, everyone was keeping track of how many majors I had played without winning one and then I broke through at the Masters.
“I’m confident I can break through in the US Open and would love to do it at Pinehurst in June. But that’s six months away. My focus right now is on the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and getting my season off to the best start possible,”
With the benefit of hindsight, does he think the wait for induction into golf’s Hall of Fame in 2012 had been a bit too long? “That never occurred to me. I was thrilled to be selected in the same class as Ernie Els, who I first met in a junior tournament in San Diego in 1973. It was a great honour to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and to be mentioned alongside the greats of the game. I cherish it so much that most of the trophies I put on display there in the spring of 2012 are still there so visitors can enjoy them,” he said.
Not many are aware that Mickelson, very much a gentleman on the course, has been one of the biggest earners from endorsements among sportspersons in the US. Asked if he ever made any conscious efforts to maintain his brand value, Mickelson said: “Yes, always, but I think that’s the same for any professional who takes pride in himself or herself and our sport. I endorse corporate partners I believe in fully. I’m proud to have enjoyed those strong and lasting relationships. I’m committed to them off the course, but my main focus always has been on playing well and I’ve been fortunate to have had a family of partners who have supported me in that every step of the way.”
Any chat with Mickelson cannot be complete without a reference to Tiger Woods, a close friend of his who has risen against tremendous odds to reclaim the No.1 spot. What’s the best thing about Woods that he admires? “I really admire what Tiger has achieved. His focus and determination are probably his biggest strengths although he has plenty of strengths to pick from,” he added.
