Who: Phil Mickelson / Philip Alfred Mickelson
- Background: Born in San Diego, California
- Age: 51 — as of July 2021
- 25 years as one of the top 50 golfers
- Oldest major champion ever at age 50 — Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, South Carolina May 2021
- Golf’s Hall of Fame – inducted in 2012
- Golfs with his right (dominate) and his left hands — nicknamed “Lefty”
- 55 total professional wins
- a total of 45 PGA Tour wins
which include 6 majors = 3 Masters, 2 two PGA Championships, 1 Open Championship - Never won the “US Open” as of 2021
- Oldest major champion ever at age 50 (a month short of his 51st birthday)– Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, May 2021
“The difficulty is when you’re on a plateau and you’re not really making advancements and you’re putting in the work and putting in the work and you’re not seeing the results, to stay consistent and to stay committed.” –espn_oldest
When: In an interview 12 days before the final round of the 2021 PGA Championship
Where: The 2021 PGA Championship
Phil Mickelson tweeted this:
I’ve failed many times in my life and career and because of this I’ve learned a lot. Instead of feeling defeated countless times, I’ve used it as fuel to drive me to work harder. So today, join me in accepting our failures. Let’s use them to motivate us to work even harder. — Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 11, 2021
June 20, 2021:
SAN DIEGO — When Phil Mickelson left Torrey Pines on Friday after seemingly playing his way back into contention for the U.S. Open with a 2-under 69, he was sure he had a third-round run in him.
That never materialized Saturday, however, as Mickelson, who needs a U.S. Open win to complete the career Grand Slam and a six-time runner-up in the event, played himself out of the tournament with a 5-over 76. That left him at 7-over for the week, 12 shots behind the leaders.
“I played really well [Friday] and thought I had it, I was going to make a run, and I just completely lost it today,’’ Mickelson said. “But I was sure appreciative of the chance to play here in a U.S. Open on a place that is special to me and I grew up playing. I’m just grateful to have this chance. I get one more round.’’ — nypost
His Record Holds: One of the greatest golfers of all times, compared to Tiger Woods!
- Never won the “US Open” — as of 2021
. . . . .
There is an alternative to feeling defeated — improvement and change!
Key Biblical Thoughts:
- failure
- success
- hard work
- evangelism
- losing
- stick-to-it-ness
- finishing well
- witnessing
- lost
- doing your best
- running the race
- obstacles
- faithfulness
. . . . .
Sermonic Example:
[Include the details you find useful]
After all of Mickelson’s attempts to win the U.S. Open, he has failed once again.
The only professional golfer who is compared to Michelson — who stands alongside of Michelson’s accomplishments — and who won the 2016 US Open — is Tiger Woods!
How does he handle that defeat once again? Here is what he says . . . .
I’ve failed many times in my life and career and because of this I’ve learned a lot. Instead of feeling defeated countless times, I’ve used it as fuel to drive me to work harder. So today, join me in accepting our failures. Let’s use them to motivate us to work even harder.
Those words are not the words of the average golfer who enjoys recreational golf, but a professional who is driven to accomplish life-long goals, a professional golfer who has won everything he has entered, but this one championship. Michelson is a motivated and driven professional — and says . . . . I use failure as fuel to drive me to work harder.
What a contrast to some who are ministry “professionals.” Those who moan and complain about how difficult it is — ministering — in America! They speak about “burn-out” — in America. As if they alone face unique pressures, in contrast to those who work in the world — for long hours — many with little personal satisfaction. . . . .
You can feel defeated — and sulk in dumps — or you can let failure motivate you to do better. You can use failure as a salve for self-pity, or as a fuel.
Other Information & Links:
“Showdowns With Woods
In August 2018, it was announced that Mickelson and his longtime rival, Woods, would square off in a televised, one-on-one showdown in Las Vegas on November 23. Billed as a winner-take-all match for $9 million, Mickelson said they were considering adding a series of in-match challenges that included longest drive, closest to the hole, longest putt and closest out of a bunker.
“It’s an opportunity for us to bring golf to the masses in prime time during a period where we don’t have much going on in the world of golf,” said Mickelson, adding that they expected to wear microphones so fans could hear their banter.
The banter didn’t quite materialize as expected, with both players concentrating on their shots, but Mickelson ultimately claimed the prize money and bragging rights by sinking a birdie on the 22nd and final hole.
Mickelson and Woods squared off again in “The Match: Champions for Charity” in May 2020, with NFL legends Tom Brady and Peyton Manning joining the fun. This time, the Mickelson-Brady pairing lost to Woods and Manning, though the event was a major success with $20 million raised for coronavirus relief efforts.”
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— https://www.biography.com/athlete/phil-mickelson
— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Mickelson
— https://nypost.com/2021/06/20/phil-mickelsons-us-open-dream-over-completely-lost-it/
–https://www.golfwrx.com/656723/phil-mickelson-reveals-the-top-3-regrets-of-his-career/
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