Love for Lefty

I don't have the patience to play golf at any respectable level. It is a sport that takes unbelievable concentration, situational precision and a combination of strength and grace.

So, when I see Phil Mickelson win The Masters after having an extremely emotional and trying year, I have to admire the feat.

When Lefty walked up to the 18th green at Augusta National, he had to be in awe of himself. After going through an exhausting stretch of helping his wife and mother battle breast cancer, he had put together one of the best four-day periods on the par-fives of one of the most challenging courses in the country. Try getting yourself mentally prepared for that.

It's a pretty impressive accomplishment to shoot a 5-under 67 on Sunday at a major with Tiger Woods on your heels, an accomplished Lee Westwood leading the way and your ailing wife waiting with your kids at the clubhouse. Lefty's 13th hole summed up his determination-- not surprisingly, on a par-five monster.

After an unruly hook (albeit a bomb) took his tee shot into the pines, Mickelson took a risk only he would at that stage. Up two shots and a conservative back-nine away from a third Green Jacket, he sent a 6-iron from 207 yards within eight feet of the pin-- between the trees no less.

You could tell all of the emotion was building up when he had a wry smile in talking about the shot and his exchange with his wife after a birdie on the 18th. The celebration was much tamer than six years ago when he jumped in jubilation on that same green following his first major win. Excuse Phil if he's used up his quota for emotion this year.

I still can't believe any human who has gone through what he has this year could step up and go bogey free in the last round of The Masters. Phil's personality allows for it.

I guess it makes sense that a guy who has watched the two most important women in his life never give up hope would find a way to see the light at the end of the tunnel no matter what.

There's not much else to say about how cool this weekend was to watch, but I'll leave you with this.

When golf serves you an impossible shot between two trees, go for the green. Because, in the end, there are more important things in life.

Thanks for the life lesson, Lefty. We owe you one.