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Phil Mickelson is currently one of the most divisive figures in the world of golf thanks to his role in the LIV Golf-PGA Tour drama, and while he may have left that second organization behind, it’s hard not to respect him for going out of his way to help out a fellow player who’s hoping to earn the right to play underneath its banner.
As you likely know, Phil Mickelson found himself at the center of a hurricane of controversy when he defected to LIV Golf (thanks in no small part to the comments he made about its Saudi Arabian backers prior to becoming the first major domino to fall).
His decision to make the leap to the upstart league made him a bit of a persona non grata on the PGA Tour and in the world of golf in general, and based on the backlash and criticism he received from plenty of people affiliated with the organization he left behind, I wouldn’t necessarily blame him for wanting to avoid it in any and every capacity.
However, he wasn’t willing to let any grudges he may have stop him from helping out another golfer.
Mark Baldwin is one of the many aspiring pro golfers currently participating in Q-School, the annual series of events that determines which players will earn the right to join the Korn Ferry Tour.
At the end of October, he’ll be heading down to Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta, Georgia for the Second Stage in the hopes of finishing in the top 25% to secure his Korn Ferry card for the upcoming season (and possibly get his PGA Tour card by competing in the Final Stage).
Baldwin has been chronicling his journey for Monday Q Info, and Ryan French (who operates the website and its social media accounts), reached out to Mickelson to see if he might be able to help him prepare for the Second Stage.
He agreed to link up with Baldwin by inviting him to his home in California over the weekend, where he helped him work on his short game and got some more insight into his skill set by hitting the course with him a couple of times.
Of my golf life” They played a 9-hole match last night. Phil invited him to his house this morning to help w short game and now they are playing an 18-hole match.
Amazing of Phil. One of the best players of our time helping a guy get ready for 2nd stage. Truly unreal. pic.twitter.com/TDfBJ1mVIi
— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) November 12, 2023
Baldwin also hopped online to thank the “profoundly generous” Mickelson, saying “Phil made my game the center of attention until dark.”
Say what you will about Lefty, but that’s a pretty selfless gesture.