I am 38 years old. I make my living hitting a little white ball. I am not a big guy. I am not what some would consider a "power player". I am very serious about my craft. I play the game with precision and an on-going thought process that some might think is overly tactical. I stay in the moment, and don’t react to good or bad shots. I find that with my game, I must stay on an even keel. I am very good at my job.
I can walk into any restaurant in the Flower Mound area, where I reside, and no one will recognize me as one of the best golfers in the world. I fly under the radar. Good idea? I have no idea, it is my personality. My name is Rod Pampling.
I am a professional golfer, the 2nd best in the world. While I take my job very serious, I come across as a laid-back kind of guy. I love to interact with the fans. I love to create; to see the impossible shot and pull it off.
I am a fan-friendly player. To be more specific, my popularity with the fans might be higher than anyone. It drives me. The smiles; the high 5's; the interaction from green to tee and beyond. That is as much fun to me as winning. My name is Phil Mickelson
I am a golf analyst. I make my living hosting a golf show on ESPN radio and writing about golf. I love my interaction with golf fans that say hi or recognize me. My name is Steven Gribin.
Last weekend, the Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial was very tough for me. Maybe harder for me than Rod just because I get emotional about anything. I really like Rod Pampling. He is a very good golfer, but more important, he is a very good guy. Unlike more of the media guys, I actually spend more time on the course than in the media room; this past Sunday I spent it walking with Phil and Rod. For 15 holes, Pampling had Phil by the throat. He played his normal tactically strong game: Phil hit his drives all over the golf course while he hit mostly 2-iron hybrids. For those 15 holes, Rod did exactly what he wanted... he got a lead and maintained it.
The issue for me was the crowd. Here’s a guy that lives in our community, plays Colonial a bunch, and is a Dallas guy, yet he was getting little to no fan support. As the round went on and the crowds got larger, it got worse. It was hard to watch.
Eventually, whether the crowd or the nerves, Pampling hit two wayward shots on 16 and 17. He got away with 16 getting up and down with a fantastic bunker shot. He did not fare as well on 17 after hitting his hybrid 30 yards right of the fairway.
The crowd was 10 to 1 in favor of Mickelson, and they showed that support.
While I understand what was happening, it was sad for me to watch.
So what should happen with the Rod Pampling kind of player? Is it his responsibility to become more popular? That is a question for the ages.
For the Crowne Plaza Invitational, they got everything they wanted and so much more. For me, I saw great golf played by two different kinds of players, attacking the same golf course in two completely different ways with a crowd that showed minimal support for its local player.
Speaking of the way Phil attacked the course, should it raise the theory: "Colonial is not conducive to a player like Tiger."
Phil showed the golfing world that doglegs can be attacked. That power golf works at Colonial.
So, come on back TW. I know the Fort Worth fan will support you.
