Mickelson’s Mind Is Clear Again

Phil Mickelson will be the first to say that 2003 was an off year for him, and Tuesday he acknowledged that was because there was more on his mind than golf.

In March, his wife, Amy, had complications during her pregnancy with Evan, the couple’s third child.

Amy had a six-inch tear in an artery that supplies nutrients to her uterus and bled profusely. Mickelson said she was two or three minutes away from bleeding to death.

“Had the radiologist specialist not been driving to see a friend and been two minutes away ... I would have been without my wife,” Mickelson said.

Mickelson added that Evan did not breathe for seven minutes after he was born March 23, but the emergency room nurses were able to prevent any long-term damage. He is 100% healthy, Mickelson said.

Mickelson finished 38th on the money list last year, the first time he has been outside the top 15 since 1995. He did not win a tournament for the first time in four years and he had only one top-three finish, his fewest since 1995.

“It was just a hard year all around,” Mickelson said. “I am so excited about 2004 because my wife’s health is 100%, my son’s health is 100%, my two daughters are doing great and I have entrusted my game with [swing coach] Rick Smith and [short game coach] Dave Pelz.

“I feel like I’m in for a great year.”

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Mickelson announced that he has started the “Birdies for the Brave” program to benefit the Special Operation Warrior Fund.

For every birdie Mickelson makes this year, he will donate $100 to the children of Special Operations personnel killed in operational or training missions. For every eagle Mickelson makes, he will donate $500.

“I hope it gets pricey,” Mickelson said.

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U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Hal Sutton said that he has selected Jackie Burke and Steve Jones as assistant captains for the Sept. 14-19 matches at Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan.

Burke has been captain of two Ryder Cup teams. In 1957, his squad lost, 7 1/2-4 1/2. In 1973, he led the U.S. to a 19-13 victory. Jones has no Ryder Cup history but won the 1996 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills.

In addition to his duties as captain, Sutton will serve as a golf analyst on ABC. Sutton will work nine events, beginning this week. Only four will come before the Ryder Cup.

“They had to persuade me to do it because I couldn’t be any busier,” Sutton said. “But it will give me an opportunity to see guys in a different light. I’ve never been one to watch golf much on television, but now I have more reason to be interested in how the guys are playing than I have in the past.”