Mickelson Faces His Biggest Challenge

The news that Phil Mickelson’s wife, Amy, has been diagnosed with breast cancer stunned the golf world recently. When Phil announced he would stop playing indefinitely, no one was surprised. Phil and Amy have been together since 1992 when they both were students in college at Arizona State. Phil has said in his book, One Magical Sunday, “I knew right away that this girl was something special.” It’s strange but Amy wasn’t a golf person when she met Phil. She has said, “I came from a tennis family.” It didn’t take long before Phil had won her over to golf and she became his most ardent supporter.

It is common to see Amy following Phil around the course at any tournament. She walks and chats with fans as if they are all part of Phil’s entourage. At Torrey Pines this year she recruited a bunch of girlfriends to join her in the gallery. They all wore identical outfits of black boots, blue jeans, black jackets and sunglasses. She billed the group of blondes as “her posse.” She enjoys being involved with Phil and his golf but at the same time realizes that the two of them share a responsibility that goes beyond playing golf. Phil and his wife have established The Phil and Amy Mickelson Charitable Gift Foundation. They work with many programs; The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (college for children of deceased Special Ops servicemen), Homes for Our Troops (housing for returning military), America Supports You (support for troops families) and Birdies for the Brave which supports the previously mentioned charities.

Amy and Phil aren’t strangers to difficult times. During the birth of their last child, Evan, they faced dire circumstances. Evan was stillborn, going seven minutes before he breathed on his own. At the same time, Amy was hemorrhaging badly and came close to dying. They pulled through, but the ordeal made Amy and Phil both realize how fragile life really is and cemented their bond to each other even more. It was a life changing episode and neither of them takes anything for granted nowadays.

That is why few were surprised when Phil announced he would stop playing to be with Amy. They are partners in the strongest sense of any relationship. She is his biggest supporter, and he is hers. Amy has established herself as one of the highest profile wives on tour. Her outgoing personality and easy going nature combined with her graciousness and sense of involvement have made her a much respected person on the tour. In that sense she has followed the path of the model for all tour wives, Barbara Nicklaus. No person, player or wife on tour is as respected as Barbara Nicklaus and Amy was made from the same mold.

Amy and Phil will be facing tough challenges in the coming months. The two of them will support each other as they have in the past. It will be difficult, but no one doubts the resolve and strength of character of Amy Mickelson. She has been there to supports many friends and many charitable causes over the years. It is now time for all of them to return the favor and support Amy.