Posted 03-13-2010Finally, some energy outside the ropes at Doral
DORAL, Fla. (March 13, 2010) – It finally looked like a Tour event Saturday. The first two days of the WGC-CA Championship were plagued by high winds, plus torrential rainstorms and two delays on Friday, when the weather and prospects for a fun five-mile hike around Doral Resort went from not promising to threatening to torrential rain to “we’re outta here.”
But Saturday dawned bright and breezy and the crowds returned. More people watched Phil Mickelson and fellow competitor Camilo Villegas on just the first two holes than had seen them play individually the first two days. Shouts of “Let’s go Phil!” and Vamos Camilo!” rang out for 18 holes.
The Birdies for the Brave Outpost was full of service members and their families. More than 1,000 guests had visited the hospitality tent beside the 17th green through the first three rounds and enjoyed cold drinks and lunches donated by a number of national companies. Members of the Coast Guard volunteered to serve as security for the tournament through the week.
“That is so cool,” said Mickelson, who gave impetus to the PGA Tour Birdies for the Brave program and officially introduced it on Chicago on July 4, 2006. He had started supporting Special Operations Warrior Foundation in 2004 and Homes for Our Troops by contributing $100 per birdie and $500 per eagle. Four other military support groups are now under the Birdies for the Brave umbrella and last year each received about $300,000.
“That really gives me a lot of satisfaction,” said Mickelson, “and I know Amy will be thrilled about it, too. The military derserves anything we all can do for them.”
Yesterday he donated $500 for five birdies after making six in the first two days but he might have paid $400 to have saved the four bogeys that left him at 4 under par for the event, tied for 16th eight shots off the lead.
“I birdied 8, 9 and 10,” he said, “had great chances on 11 and 12 I didn’t take advantage of and then bogeyed 13 and 18 and let it get away. It turned what could have been a really good round into a below average round.”
If that wasn't enough, he added injury to insult when he jammed his left elbow on his aproach shot to 18. He wasn't concerned about lingering effects, but it did sting.
At least none of the service members in the Birdies for the Brave Outpost had a below average day, and Mickelson was happy about that.