We have all played sports at some time in our lives. Most of us, however, have never dunked a basketball, hit a 90 mph fastball or shot a round of golf under par. We simply can’t relate to the lives of professional athletes.

Until now.

For the longest time, Phil Mickelson was branded the world’s second greatest golfer. As with most golfers on tour, Phil lived in Tiger’s shadow. For Phil, however, that shadow loomed considerably larger. As Tiger’s most bitter rival, Mickelson always seemed to come in second, never able to get over that hump. He was routinely criticized for folding when it mattered most.

What a difference six years makes.

This article appears in Apr 14-20, 2010.