Words Define Character

3 sportsmanship examples from the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Humana Challenge

Chris Duthie

Thanks to Richard Sherman’s histrionic rant immediately after last weekend's NFC Championship, the topic of athlete interview behavior now sits squarely in the media's crosshairs.

Now, golfers aren’t gridiron warriors, and everybody knows the majority of PGA Tour players are unquotable, too-serious, no-smiling, sand-in-the-pants curmudgeons whose sense of humor is about as delightful as a yips-fueled four putt, right?

Wrong. This past weekend provided telltale insight into how fun and gracious these guys can be, especially in the face of title-costing adversity and wicked bum luck. To wit:

• Phil Mickelson’s final-round triple bogey left him just out of the winner’s circle at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Lefty’s miscue on the 65^th hole included double-hitting a shot right handed and prompted this post-round remark: “You know me, I’ve done some crazy s*** in my career.” Crazier still was Mickelson’s effort to get back in the hunt – he birdied three of the next five holes and finished the event just one shot back.
• Rory McIroy, who suffered a careless two-stroke rules infraction during the third round of the Abu Dhabi, also finished one stroke out. McIroy faced his faux pas by tongue-in-Tweeting, “Foot fault.….,” undoubtedly a borrowed expression from fiancé/tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. By the way, Pablo Larrazable of Spain was the unlikely victor, ending a near three-year drought with a 72^nd-hole birdie.

• Bo Van Pelt selflessly congratulated Patrick Reed’s Tour record 27-under Humana Challenge victory via Twitter: “If I stayed here until next Sunday I MIGHT get to 27 under. Wow. Great playing Mr. Reed.” Reed’s 32-count birdie barrage could have been even more spectacular: After starting 63/63/63, he cooled off with a final round of 71, leaving him two strokes clear of Ryan Palmer (2^nd, including a final-hole eagle) and 13 better than Van Pelt (T48^th).

Next up:

PGA Tour: Jan. 23-26; Farmers Insurance Open; Torrey Pines, CA

LPGA Tour: Jan. 23-26; Pure Silk Bahamas Classic; Paradise Island, Bahamas

Champions Tour: Feb. 7-9; Allianz Championship; Boca Raton, FL

RELATED LINKS

Legend Gary Player, Co-Host of Humana Challenge

Humana Challenge Winner Reed Becomes 3rd Player Under 25 with Multiple Wins

5 LPGA Stars You Need to Follow on instagram – NOW!

Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.