The Zone Interactive Golf Magazine (UK) The Zone Issue 26 | Page 16

GOLF NEWS

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Duffner gives hope to
every man (and woman)
who is overweight, unfit
and doesn’t give a fig
about what they eat and
drink. For that reason
alone, he may well be my
player of the year.

to behold, but that is not the reason he is
on my list. Oh no. He's here because he
gives hope to every man (and woman)
who is overweight, unfit and doesn't
give a fig about what they eat and drink.
For that reason alone, he may well be
my player of the year.
Mickelson's place is assured because he
is, well, Phil Mickelson. You've just got
to love a guy who, despite being in his
forties, is prepared to embrace the best
that technology has to offer.
He once played in The Masters with
two drivers in his bag, one with a draw
bias, one with a fade bias. In the old
days, the likes of Jack Nicklaus and
Seve Ballesteros used to alter their ball
position to produce the same result.
And then, finally, he stumbled upon
something this year that may be the
answer to his prayers. He took his
driver out of his bag and replaced it
with a "strong" three wood. He used it
during the US Open, where he finished
second for the SIXTH time. It must
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have been agony for Lefty, and brings
back memories of Greg Norman's futile
efforts to win The Masters.
Mickelson is made of stronger stuff
than Norman though. He flew his
wife and daughters to Scotland and
promptly won the Scottish Open and
then, the following week, he stunned the
golfing world by winning The Open at
Muirfield. Mickelson hits the ball miles
in the air, but he adapted his game for
the links of Muirfield and won after the
manner born. Fabulous stuff.
Stricker makes the list because, at the
age of 46, he now plays part-time with
a swing that is all his own, and is still
in the world's top 10. The American
doesn't do run-of-the-mill tournaments
any more.
That means when he tees it up he is
playing against the very best golfers in
the world - all of whom are younger
than him. And every time he plays, he is
in contention. He is striking a blow for
the old guys, and we love him for it.
THEZONE / ISSUE 25