Tiger vs Phil
People have occasionally asked me questions of a "Tiger vs Phil" nature, such as "who do I like better" or "what was it like to be marshaling for either one of those guys, what are they really like ?" Volunteering as a walking marshal inside the ropes at PGA and USGA events, I have had the opportunity for some close encounters with both of these golf gods, having been assigned to Phil's group on eleven occasions and Tiger six times. My answer is, Tiger by a mile. This response often elicits a surprised or even shocked reaction. They'll respond, "I was sure you were going to say Phil, he seems like such a nice guy". Tiger on the other hand is viewed by the casual golf fan as that guy who fell off the cliff of celebrity due to boorish behavior, a well deserved fall some often say. My perspective is different in that I have been able to observe them from pretty close proximity, not only for 18 holes of competitive championship golf, but afterwards as we marshals accompany them to the scoring trailer, interview area, and eventually to the autograph line. There we get to stand patiently nearby while they sign everything in sight for as long as they can stand it, generally 20 minutes or so, (although the fans never feel its long enough).
So why do I prefer to marshal Tiger over Phil? Let's start with Phil. Did you ever know a guy in high school who was one of those know-it-all types, and doesn't mind letting you know it, all the time? When he was playing in the pro-am at the FedEx Cup at TPC Boston in Norton, MA a few years ago, he was partnered with four very high level business executives, as is the usual arrangement. Unlike most other pro-am groups, where the chatter is mostly golf related, Phil is expounding on European currency rates of exchange, domestic tax policies, etc. In other words, he's telling the experts their business versus the other way round.
Phil is one of the few pro's out on tour who doesn't feel that marshals are even necessary, they just get in his way. Every marshal who has ever been assigned to him has a "Phil story". You'll be moving behind him along the ropes to quiet the crowd, who have closed in to get a really good view and he'll bark, "Quit moving, marshal!" Phil has mastered the role of acting like a golf professional, emphasis on the word actor. He's every fan's favorite because he hears every single shout-out from outside the ropes and acknowledges it with a thumbs-up. He has excels at the art of giving the fans what they paid to see, a performance. He realizes that bottom-line, that's what this is all about. I've heard fans exclaim, "I've actually seen Phil Mickelson in person, now I can die happy!" To see Phil work the autograph area is to watch a true professional, signing hats, pin-flags, programs, shirts, people, you name it. I personally witnessed an outstanding moment after the Deutsche Bank Championship when Phil signed for a fellow in a wheelchair who'd been been struggling to get to the rope line, so that Phil could sign a hat with two other Hall-of-Fame signatures on it, Arnie and Jack. It was a heartfelt moment.
Suffice to say, I don't dislike Phil, but he's not one of us, he's up on the Mount Rushmore of golf and interacts with use mere mortals because that's what he's paid to do. Provide a performance.
Tiger on the other hand, is a real person. I know, when I say this to people I get that same surprised and even shocked response. They'll ask, "Isn't he sort of a prick up close?" On the contrary, he's actually just like one of the guys. When you're standing near him alongside the other players and caddies at the short par 4 fourth hole at TPC Boston, where we're waiting for the groups ahead to move on, he's right in the mix, laughing, kidding, smiling, not standing off to the side in isolation until its his turn to step up to the tee box. This is the real Tiger, when he can just be who he wants to be, one of the guys. Unfortunately, the moment he tee's off and begins to stride down the fairway, he is hit with a verbal onslaught from the fans that is hard to comprehend unless you have witnessed it up close. People standing 3 and 4 deep outside the ropes are shouting his name incessantly every step of the way until he gets to his ball, then its our job as the marshals walking along with him to get them to settle down, so he, and whoever he's playing with, can get off a shot in some semblance of silence and calm. He can't possibly acknowledge the fans the way Phil does, or he'd never be able to do anything else. That's why the blinders are on and the game face is there for the cameras to capture. Every time I've been assigned to Tiger's group, I'm amazed at his powers of concentration. I always feel somewhat sorry for the other player(s) assigned to his group as they are going to have to contend with this circus for 18 holes.
The consensus among most of us marshals is we'd much prefer to be assigned to Tiger than to Phil. It took me three years of volunteering at the Deutsche Bank Championship before I'd risen high enough in the ranks to get assigned to his group. You know you've earned you stripes then. But know this, a Tiger pairing is like none other. The majority of the spectators on the grounds that day are there to see him in person. They'll walk along with him, a crowd of several thousand, just to position themselves along the ropes for that one brief moment when he walks past within 10 feet, or best of all, happens to hit one outside the ropes enabling you to scramble to the ball and wait for him and his caddie to arrive, as well as our group of 6 to 8 marshals to form an alley so he can hit back into play. This is the hardest marshaling job in existence but one which I love above all else. Being inside the ropes with Tiger is like no other experience in golf.
Tiger vs Phil?…I'll take Tiger.
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