Phil Mickelson pulls out of match play championship

[bscinstnct]

Hopefully it's nothing serious and it's just the timing is right to perform a ritual to hatch the dinosaur egg.

 

[legitimategolf]

[quote name='AWE46M3' timestamp='1430119560' post='11449285']
I wonder if it could be a CA income tax issue - did he play the West Coast Swing at all this year?

EDIT: Just remembered [b]he had a MC at the Farmers[/b].
[/quote]

Well he showed them. Suck it, California!

[Ferguson]

Hopefully his withdrawal is not related to the pending investigation from his questionable investment choices, or that alleged candid picture of him handcuffed to a truck stop toilet wearing a mock turtleneck that reads “I’d rather be driving a Peterbilt”, or that episode last week involving a semi-pro bowler from Germany.

Clearly we need some answers.

[FairwaysToHeaven]

did phil play this tournament last year? did he play the year before that? what about the year before that? no, no, and no....but this year its probably because of insider trading or taxes?

he doesn't like the tournament, hasn't played it well, and everyone knows match play is unpredictable and you can play well and still get sent home. he's also got a busy playing schedule coming up.

yeah phil doesn't like high CA taxes, who does, but doubtful thats the reason behind WD.

[seve1972]

Doesnt wanna pay CA taxes

[Dave230]

I don't think Phil likes matchplay, especially when you couple it with his record at the Ryder Cup.

[legitimategolf]

I hope to God it's not because Phil "doesn't like matchplay". No former US Am champion should be scared of a little toe-to-toe action.

[hwc1954]

One of the Golf Channel talking heads on the bracket draw show had talked to Mickleson, that he wasn't being forthcoming about the reasons, but assured him everything was fine. Said people in Mickelson's "camp" weren't being told the reason.

I think it's just as simple as not wanting to play in a match play event this week.

[Santiago Golf]

With practice rounds and all you playing a total close to 5-10 before the biggest payday of the year. To be honest I wouldn't play either. The Players is bigger tournament. This coming from a person who wants more match play.

[ZAP]

Maybe a new episode of his favorite show is on and his DVR is broken.

[hogans71]

[quote name='HoosierMizuno' timestamp='1430157823' post='11452175']
did phil play this tournament last year? did he play the year before that? what about the year before that? no, no, and no....but this year its probably because of insider trading or taxes?

he doesn't like the tournament, hasn't played it well, and everyone knows match play is unpredictable and you can play well and still get sent home. he's also got a busy playing schedule coming up.

yeah phil doesn't like high CA taxes, who does, but doubtful thats the reason behind WD.
[/quote]

We can end the thread now.

[Pert1862]

[quote name='Ferguson' timestamp='1430149215' post='11451117']
Hopefully his withdrawal is not related to the pending investigation from his questionable investment choices, or that alleged candid picture of him handcuffed to a truck stop toilet wearing a mock turtleneck that reads “I’d rather be driving a Peterbilt”, or that episode last week involving a semi-pro bowler from Germany.

Clearly we need some answers.
[/quote]

What the.........

[FairwaysToHeaven]

i do like the setup though. round robin similar to world cup with knockout round after......or exactly as i had mentioned in another thread as an way to make the fed ex cup playoffs more watchable and interesting. stroke play to narrow down the field to 32, 8 groups of 4 narrowed to 8, and the final 8 square off in match play bracket with each round being 32 holes.

i think the round robin will add to this event, but only so much. interest will go according to who makes it through to later rounds. which is why i think match play could work for the fed ex because even if lesser player gets into final 8, then the big payout makes it that much more interesting.

[HoffTTM]

[quote name='QEight' timestamp='1430144568' post='11450495']
[quote name='JaNelson38' timestamp='1430137444' post='11449717']
A lot of pros probably dont like it to fly to the West Coast and be guaranteed only one round of golf in a tournament
[/quote]

Even if they do not like to fly, they have not bailed out. Why?

And it is three rounds of guaranteed golf. Of course not necessarily 18 holes each.
[/quote]

And enough money to buy a Corvette guaranteed even if you shoot 87 over par.

[MtlJeff]

[quote name='hogans71' timestamp='1430164283' post='11453039']
[quote name='HoosierMizuno' timestamp='1430157823' post='11452175']
did phil play this tournament last year? did he play the year before that? what about the year before that? no, no, and no....but this year its probably because of insider trading or taxes?

he doesn't like the tournament, hasn't played it well, and everyone knows match play is unpredictable and you can play well and still get sent home. he's also got a busy playing schedule coming up.

yeah phil doesn't like high CA taxes, who does, but doubtful thats the reason behind WD.
[/quote]

We can end the thread now.
[/quote]

Yes since we all agree it's the taxes thing

I can see it next year on the first tee at Augusta

"And now, hailing from Liechenstein, Phil MickelKlaus"

[hogans71]

[quote name='MtlJeff' timestamp='1430172877' post='11454009']
[quote name='hogans71' timestamp='1430164283' post='11453039']
[quote name='HoosierMizuno' timestamp='1430157823' post='11452175']
did phil play this tournament last year? did he play the year before that? what about the year before that? no, no, and no....but this year its probably because of insider trading or taxes?

he doesn't like the tournament, hasn't played it well, and everyone knows match play is unpredictable and you can play well and still get sent home. he's also got a busy playing schedule coming up.

yeah phil doesn't like high CA taxes, who does, but doubtful thats the reason behind WD.
[/quote]

We can end the thread now.
[/quote]

Yes since we all agree it's the taxes thing

I can see it next year on the first tee at Augusta

"And now, hailing from Liechenstein, Phil MickelKlaus"
[/quote]

I know that guy!

[patrick421]

[quote name='Ferguson' timestamp='1430149215' post='11451117']
Hopefully his withdrawal is not related to the pending investigation from his questionable investment choices, or that alleged candid picture of him handcuffed to a truck stop toilet wearing a mock turtleneck that reads “I’d rather be driving a Peterbilt”, or that episode last week involving a semi-pro bowler from Germany.

Clearly we need some answers.
[/quote]

You are extremely unfunny.

[knock it close]

[quote name='Huskypride28' timestamp='1430146896' post='11450825']
Phil has obviously has been to the Tom Brady school of "Excuses to not attend events".
[/quote]Which of the golf personalities is gonna go on the Stephan A Smith rant?

[Child Please]

I'm guessing Phil will be in Vegas at the Mayweather - Pacquiao fight and probably dropping some serious action in the sports book on it as well.

[PGArox]

[quote name='legitimategolf' timestamp='1430162085' post='11452755']
I hope to God it's not because Phil "doesn't like matchplay". No former US Am champion should be scared of a little toe-to-toe action.
[/quote]

Phil had a great collegiate and amateur record in match play, and his PGA TOUR play-off record is 7-4. I believe Phil loves match play golf.

I have a feeling Phil skipped the Arizona dates because of the course. Not a very inspiring venue. I think this year's venue is somewhat awkward because the TOUR is right in the middle of a southeast swing, only to break away to the west coast for one week.

[knock it close]

[quote name='Child Please' timestamp='1430188922' post='11455737']
I'm guessing Phil will be in Vegas at the Mayweather - Pacquiao fight and probably dropping some serious action in the sports book on it as well.
[/quote]Good call, or maybe he's going to the Derby to do the same.

[Ferguson]

[quote name='Pert1862' timestamp='1430164316' post='11453047']
[quote name='Ferguson' timestamp='1430149215' post='11451117']
Hopefully his withdrawal is not related to the pending investigation from his questionable investment choices, or that alleged candid picture of him handcuffed to a truck stop toilet wearing a mock turtleneck that reads “I’d rather be driving a Peterbilt”, or that episode last week involving a semi-pro bowler from Germany.

Clearly we need some answers.
[/quote]

What the.........
[/quote]


There is a vast shortage of good semi-pro bowler jokes in circulation these days. I remember 20-30 years ago, semi-pro bowler jokes were being thrown around like JARTS (not too many of those around anymore, either). Mitsubishi tried to joke about bowling with that TV commercial featuring Fred Couples - good stuff.

Time for a poll:
What do you think - does Phil bowl lefty or righty?

[Chief Illiniwek]

Hopefully it's because he has his eyes on the prize: a US Open.

[Rangeballz]

[quote name='MtlJeff' timestamp='1430172877' post='11454009']
[quote name='hogans71' timestamp='1430164283' post='11453039']
[quote name='HoosierMizuno' timestamp='1430157823' post='11452175']
did phil play this tournament last year? did he play the year before that? what about the year before that? no, no, and no....but this year its probably because of insider trading or taxes?

he doesn't like the tournament, hasn't played it well, and everyone knows match play is unpredictable and you can play well and still get sent home. he's also got a busy playing schedule coming up.

yeah phil doesn't like high CA taxes, who does, but doubtful thats the reason behind WD.
[/quote]

We can end the thread now.
[/quote]

Yes since we all agree it's the taxes thing

I can see it next year on the first tee at Augusta

"And now, hailing from Liechenstein, Phil MickelKlaus"
[/quote]

I'm guessing Phil is more of a Monaco kind of guy....or Dubai, but Rory seems to be the BMOC there...

[3jacker]

Stop with the "doesn't wanna pay CA taxes" nonsense.

It's stupid.

The real reason is that his mixed-race Ohio baby was caught cheating on taxes on
massive Vegas gambling winnings and then cancer-survivor Amy found out and hooked up with
Dustin Johnson in revenge.

[DCDeac]

Eh, they were having to manage the total number of rounds Phil could play in the Ryder Cup as well. I think it's just the uncertainty along with the potential schedule. A week before the Players you could either travel, practice, play poorly and be gone after one round (I mean, could even play great and run into someone on fire) - or you could play well, win 3 tough matches in 3 days, then play 4 more matches in the next 2 days.

That's a young man's tourney right there, one he'd want to follow up with a week off should he make it to Sunday afternoon.

[Conrad1953]

[quote name='DCDeac' timestamp='1430250191' post='11460229']
Eh, they were having to manage the total number of rounds Phil could play in the Ryder Cup as well. I think it's just the uncertainty along with the potential schedule. A week before the Players you could either travel, practice, play poorly and be gone after one round (I mean, could even play great and run into someone on fire) - or you could play well, win 3 tough matches in 3 days, then play 4 more matches in the next 2 days.

That's a young man's tourney right there, one he'd want to follow up with a week off should he make it to Sunday afternoon.
[/quote]

Great point DC. The top 4 by the end will be playing 7 matches in 5 days.
With his arthritis maybe he figures he'll fade or be too worn out for the
players the next week....Hogan quit playing the PGA Championship when
it was match play cause his legs couldn't take any 36 hole days.

[cardoustie]

36 a day with arthritis, in colder weather, in your mid 40's, big event the following week ???????? .. I too would have bailed in a heartbeat

[Team Bracco]

I remember hearing some years ago about Phil and sports wagering, and at first it was a surprise, given how other sports treat gambling. Golf, of course is different. Given the odds against any one player winning, it's impossible to make enough money betting against yourself to come close to the amount received from doing well.

[Conrad1953]

Well, at least Phil didn't pull out of the "Players". But I bet he'd
like to pull the 18th hole out. +5 on that hole to miss the cut.

As a past champion(2007) he has missed the cut the last 3 years.
It's not like he doesn't know how to play the course.