The rest of the story ... to me, this puts it in the correct context. Taken from The Golf Channel...Steve ------- Mickelson Releases Statement Regarding Golf Magazine Interview
Contact T.R. Reinman 619-422-4176 office 619-889-0097 cell SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (February 5, 2003) - Phil Mickelson is the subject of an interview with Peter Kessler in the March issue of Golf Magazine due out next week. In the piece, which runs across seven pages, one line has elicited particular interest: "Tiger is the only player who is good enough to overcome the equipment he's stuck with." That quote is entirely accurate as written. Mickelson said today, "I hope that line wasn't taken out of context by some people. It was meant as nothing more than a positive comment on Tiger's incredible talent." By way of background, that line came in an exchange in which Mickelson was praising Woods' abilities and accomplishments as a player. Mickelson was smiling when he said of Woods, "He hates that I can fly it past him now." That was in reference to their shared first round at the Target World Challenge in December and the distance Mickelson was getting with his new Titleist 983 K driver. Another third person in the interview session said, "What Tiger hated that day was spending so much time looking for your ball in the weeds." It was in that jocular moment that Mickelson, still laughing, said, "Well, maybe, but Tiger is the only player who is good enough to overcome the equipment he's stuck with." After seeing the story today and learning of the response it has drawn, Mickelson said, "As I've said many times, I have great respect for Tiger. I also have respect for any manufacturer, particularly those that can put their clubs in the hands of the world's best players. I am thrilled with my Titleist equipment and proud to represent the company but my remark was absolutely not intended as a knock on any other manufacturer." After two events this season, shares of ninth place at the Phoenix Open and sixth place at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Mickelson is averaging 312 yards off the tee. That is a 24-yard increase over his 2002 season average. Mickelson begins play Thursday morning at Poppy Hills in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and also plans to play the Buick Invitational, WGC-Accenture Match Play and Ford Championship before taking time off in anticipation of the birth of his third child in March. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Steve Fritz ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > In an interview with Golf Magazine, Mickelson said he and Woods get > along better than people believe and they don't have any issues. > ''Well, maybe one,'' Mickelson said. ''He hates that I can fly it past > him now. He has a faster swing speed than I do, but he has inferior > equipment. Tiger is the only player who is good enough to overcome the > equipment he's stuck with.'' > > Interesting > Don Johnson
