Phil looks overseas in 'stagnant' U.S. golf market
Deep Throat's advice to Woodward and Bernstein still holds true, whether you want to understand a presidential cover-up or why your favorite golfer is playing overseas every other weekend.
Follow the money.
With
European Tour purses gaining significantly against their U.S.
counterparts, many top PGA Tour players are considering joining the
European Tour. The latest to express interest is Phil Mickelson.
Lefty in the Old World is not exactly David Beckham in reverse. Mickelson would still play the U.S. tour, but if he plays in 12 European Tour events he can qualify for next year's season-ending Dubai World Championship tournament, where $20 million will be up for grabs. The three U.S.-based WCG events (Bridgestone, Accenture Match Play and CA Championship) the three U.S. majors already count as Euro Tour events so Mickelson could fill his Euro dance card pretty easily with events like The Scottish Open (which he played this year) and late-season tournaments in Asia when the PGA Tour enters its quiet fall season.
Mickelson, who's preparing to defend his title at the HBSC Championship
in Shanghai next week (another Euro Tour event), told the Agence
France-Press that he hasn't joined the European Tour yet, but that it's
"something I am certainly considering." When he explains the decision, Mickelson sounds
more like an investment banker than a professional golfer, and a savvy
one at that.
"I think Dubai has taken one of the giant leaps to making the game
of golf more global in the quality of events," said Mickelson, adding
that there had been a number of contributing factors that made
international golf more attractive.
"Certainly, the dollar weakening over the past few years has made foreign currencies much stronger, which makes the purses much larger, so there's been a lot of international wealth being created," he said.
"The US golf industry has been stagnant for quite some time so all of our growth has been occurring on a global basis.
"As a professional golfer we have to adapt to that by playing more internationally because that is where the opportunities are and that's where they will continue to grow.
"So I look forward to having opportunities to continue to play more internationally and I understand that that is going to be an important part of being an international golfer."
Mickelson has had differences with PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem in the past, so it's not surprising he's quicker than most to look to money-making opportunities overseas. The PGA Tour has put on a brave, "weather the storm" face during the current financial crisis, but if one of the Tour's few bankable stars is going to spend a couple months a year playing overseas, well, that's not good.
(Photo: Michael Cohen/Getty Images)
Posted by: You | Nov 2, 2008 1:55:03 AM
What's with all the capitalization to emphasize bad arguments and loosely founded accusations? Let's not forget the completely adolescent remarks, indirect libel, and excessive use of exclamation points to further disprove his own credibility. Anyway, to me, Phil's been taking that "I didn't even know those tours were there" approach to his career, and focused a lot of his time on predominantly American soil. Sure, he plays some European tour events, but given his ethnocentric view on other countries, he's never put two and two together and realized that there's some serious competition in the foreign markets. Yes, some of it might have to do with Tiger being there, but that shouldn't be a reason for him not to attend some big name tournaments. Moreover, I think Phil wants to add some spice to his schedule. I mean, playing a ton of American events usually means he's playing against the same people all the time. That's why he goes out to Loch Lomond and Asian Tour events, because he not only wants to expand his power overseas, but he wants to see the competition. He wants to see what he's up against, and I think he should expand on this idea. It's probably one of the better choices he's made in his career. Sure, he's at the point in his career where he may not have it in him to play every week at different venues, what with all of the business ventures and other side projects he has. But playing other tours can help Phil not only in the monetary arena, but also competitively, seeing as how he's playing more like a top 20 golfer than a top 5 (alright, that's a bit harsh, considering he's had 7 wins in the past three years, including the '06 Masters, The Players Championship, Crowne Plaza at Colonial, and a FedEx Cup playoff showdown with Tiger). But Phil can get not only a great deal of cash overseas but great competition as well. It could push him to regain control of his game, and maybe even learn something about the other countries where his endorsements are advertised.
Posted by: old player | Oct 30, 2008 2:10:08 PM
Well, it was just a matter of time before "Lefty" woke up to the fact that he needs to broaden his horizions if he wants to spend time in the winners circle. Phil and others like Ernie and Vjay are getting on in age and ability. It doesn't mean they're washed up as top contenters, but it is obvious that there are a lot of young guns out there that have a "Tiger" in their sights. US Golf needs new blood and should be aware that most of the new players are not native Americans. One other thing regarding the Ryder Cup and President's Cup, why don't we, the US, enclude Canada, and Latin America in our ranks against the Europeans???? If you haven't noticed, these countries are all part of the Americas......food for thought.
Posted by: Jeff | Oct 30, 2008 2:09:05 PM
YA BILL ...someone finally tells it like it is...A GOLFER is all Tiger is...why be afraid of a GOLFER!! Great stuff helloooooooooooooo Travel the world Phil and ENJOY!!!!
Posted by: Bill | Oct 30, 2008 2:07:27 PM
What is with all you idiots and this PHIL IS AFRAID OF TIGER BS? Ti ger is JUST a golfer!!! Put him on the ice and lets see what he has, or MANY other things...hear me? A GOLFER not a GOD....So all you idiots take your TIGER posters and buy your NIKE stuff to SUPPORT TIGER more your hero....IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Tom A Lafayette,IN | Oct 30, 2008 7:26:38 AM
Tiger will be doing this also, he has a home in Dubaii, and if anyone is about the money it is Team Tiger..Anthony Kim has announced he is joining the European Tour,,it is good for golf,
Posted by: M. Taylor | Oct 29, 2008 10:11:08 PM
Phil is basically following the money, just like all the other players. At least Allenby was up front about it. It sounds better if Phil and others pretend to be doing it for the "good of the game". There were numerous opportunities to play the Euro Tour when they were required to play ELEVEN (11) tournaments. The only thing that has changed is the $$$ and the fact that top players (who play in the majors and world golf tournaments) without much more effort can meet the criteria and an opportunity to play in the season-ending Race to Dubai for the big bucks. The fact that most top players like Phil conclude their season AFTER the Tour Championship/Fed Ex Cup, there are opportunities to play enough Tournaments starting in November with the HSBC event (in China) to early March (Middle East) without adversely affecting their US PGA Tour schedule. I hope Phil and others will not try to insult the intelligence of the fans by pretending that it is all about golf.
Posted by: Beach | Oct 29, 2008 10:10:41 PM
Has anyone noticed that everything is going overseas. This is his job so he is taking overseas where things are cheaper
Posted by: Lefty 1.4 | Oct 29, 2008 8:45:05 PM
Hey Golf Icon, when you can get two green jackets, have an amazingly gourgeous wife, and multiple multi-million dollar houses, then you can take shots at Phil's appearance. But until then you should keep your feet on the ground instead of in your mouth.
Posted by: Golf Icon | Oct 29, 2008 7:46:57 PM
Phil has been playing in the shadow of Tiger woods for years. It is clear that he is using money as an excuse to escape from the shadow of the greatest golfer in the world. Maybe with the extra $$ he can buy a manzier.
Posted by: John Cole | Oct 29, 2008 5:43:34 PM
Good riddance.
Posted by: Scooter | Oct 29, 2008 4:15:43 PM
Obviously birdiebuster has no clue about exchange rates. It's better for Phil to go play with the Euro down 20% vs the dollar. He'll be bringing back even more $$$ than if they were trading equally.
Posted by: birdiebuster | Oct 29, 2008 3:42:59 PM
Phil obviously hasn't been checking the exchange rates lately. Euro down over 20% versus Dollar. Obviously, this is just a money grab on his part. It is kind of annoying too - he is going have to add a few tournaments to his schedule to qualify. Wasn't this the guy who skipped one of the FedEx cups events last year to spend more time with his family?
Posted by: Richard Cantu | Oct 29, 2008 3:21:18 PM
Phil still finished behind Tiger on the money list despite playing 15 more events. Maybe Butch Harmon realized that he isn't Harmonizing Mickleson and begged him to play in Europe as not to embarrass the both of them next year competing against Tiger.
Posted by: Luke | Oct 29, 2008 2:45:34 PM
In response to Mike Dee, Are you saying that in order for Phil Mickelson to prove himself as one of the world top players he shouldn't play througout the world but just in America instead?
I think you underestimate how good alot of European Tour and Asian Tour players are.
Posted by: Bill | Oct 29, 2008 2:42:52 PM
CRY BABIES shut up...a guy can do what he wants, where he wants when he wants!!!!!!!!! We need to be happy with ourself before we try and please crybabies!!! Go 4 It Phil!!!
Posted by: DJ | Oct 29, 2008 2:05:08 PM
I disagree with you, dude. It's a new world we live in now. Phil's right: the dollar is weak so why not maximize your opportunities overseas. He's been on the US tour and the only thing he has to prove still is more Majors. I doubt he really cares about the Bay Hill Invitational as much. I'd follow the money overseas if given the chance, too.
Posted by: Carlos Diaz | Oct 29, 2008 1:55:30 PM
So what are you really trying to say Phil, you want to be an international golfer or you just want that international money.
Posted by: Mike Dee | Oct 29, 2008 12:51:26 PM
I think Phil wants to get as far away from Tiger as possible and try to boost his ego with some high finishes.He probably realizes he is no longer a top 5 player anymore especially with all the younger players asserting themselves on the tour. I don't appreciate any player running over there just because of the money. Have they forgotten how these people have stuck it to us on the price of oil and how they treated us after we did all the dirty work during the Gulf War? If you feel you are one of the top players in the world then prove it and compete against the best on the American Tour.