There’s no doubt that Phil Mickelson has been one of the most entertaining golfers in history. His resume is fantastic. But, Colin Cowherd’s argument that he’d take Mickelson’s resume over arguably the greatest golfer ever is wrong.
Colin Cowherd talked a little golf during his show on Fox Sports 1 and started a curious discussion about the careers of Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.
To a degree, Cowherd made a few solid points about Mickelson and his career after the age of 30 compared to Tiger’s resume after 30 with the infamous off-course scandal and the injuries.
“What’s amazing is what has happened post 30,” Cowherd said.
“First of all Mickelson has played in double the tournaments, he’s got more wins, two-and-a-half times more second places, significantly more 10s, double the top 25s, they’ve both missed about the same cuts; Phil Mickelson, post 30, has a better career.”
That’s a valid argument and a good discussion to have.
However, things headed south quickly.
Cowherd mentioned that he spoke with Jason Whitlock, now a colleague at Fox Sports.
(Oh lord, here we go.)
“Tiger Woods was Eddie Murphy. For 10 years, he was the biggest star in America. And Phil Mickelson is Bill Murray. He just keeps doing great movies,” Cowherd said, via Whitlock.
Uh, sure … okay then. Both guys are legends in the entertainment, but whatever. Keep going.
Cowherd continued on and said, “It’s funny. If you look at what makes legends in sports, it is so often that we overlook Phil Mickelsons who are just good for a long time.”
That’s fine. Guys like Tim Duncan do get overlooked. It happens.
But then, Cowherd ended any chance of making this an actual case by saying, “I’d take Phil Mickelson’s career over Tiger’s.”
Look, Phil Mickelson is one of the all-time greats. Nobody’s denying that.
But, Tiger Woods might go down as the most dominant and the greatest golfer ever.
Mickelson has never been No. 1 in the World Golf Rankings. Woods was No. 1 for 683 weeks. Mickelson has won five majors. Woods only trails Jack Nicklaus (18 major wins) with 14 majors. Mickelson has 51 professional victories in his career. Woods has 106 wins.
This isn’t a debate, Colin.
(h/t The Big Lead and Fox Sports)
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