Phil and Tiger – Golfing Strong
Two of the biggest names in golf for the past two decades will face off against each other for a $9 million winner-take-all match on Thanksgiving weekend.
Tiger Woods will challenge Phil Mickelson at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas on November 23rd. The two have historically been strong competitors, pairing in 19 major championships. They are likely the best two golfers of this generation having maintained and regained their competitive edge despite injuries and chronic conditions.
Lefty is six years older than Tiger, and his game has been on the decline for a few years. Tiger hasn’t won a major championship in a decade. But they are still two of the biggest draws in the game.
When Woods arrived on the scene, he took the golf world by storm. Before there was Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and others, Woods had long since set a standard of physicality. His core training and workout regimen became the stuff of legends. He was built more like a football player than a golfer. And he went on a torrid pace, seemingly on his way to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles. It became clear that to succeed at the highest level of golf in this era, honing all the parts of the body that would result in maximum distance and endurance were the way to go. He changed the game like no one ever had. So, Tiger exemplified why core training and golf fitness were so crucial to success on the course.
As for Phil, things were a bit different. His physical appearance was a bit more like golfers in the past. Not lean or outwardly muscular, he succeeded in a different way. His short game and shot-making abilities were jaw-dropping displays to those that couldn’t believe were possible. Another interesting thing about Lefty is that he has suffered from psoriatic arthritis for nearly a decade. Despite it, he continues to golf strong on the PGA tour. Though not highly documented, Phil has historically gotten up and started his workout routine at 5:30am. It begins with mobility work on the ankles, hips, thoracic spine, shoulders, and wrists. And after being diagnosed with arthritis, he turned to a vegetarian diet. He has since maintained a vegetable-heavy diet, but supplements that with lean meats and proteins. He has been spotted eating fruit, specifically bananas, and drinking water on the course. Mickelson is an inspiration to anyone suffering from a lifelong illness. You can get out there and play.
Did you know…Golf Fitness Experts Rita Pociask, Stacey Lima and Andrew Plesz are all Titleist Perfromance Institute Certified, bringing the same techniques used by the pros to get your body on par. Be sure to check the calendar for the next golf fitness event at your community.
