Len Ziehm Book Review: Tiger & Phil The bottom line is that `Tiger & Phil: Golf’s Most Fascinating Rivalry’ stands by itself. I’ll take issue with calling this, “golf’s most fascinating rivalry.” Having written about the sport for well over 50 years, I still lean a bit more towards Nelson versus Hogan, or Nicklaus versus Palmer. Both seemed to be more intense personal rivalries, than Woods versus Mickelson. Harig has nicely blended the careers of Woods and Mickelson into a very comprehensive and balanced report that begins when both were amateurs, plus it captures both the highs and lows as professionals. I was personally involved in many of those highs and lows, which made the book even more intriguing to me. I especially loved the reading about Mickelson’s building frustration through 46 major championship attempts, until he won his first major at the 2004 Masters. Harig’s account of the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst, with Phil once more relegated to runner-up behind Payne Stewart, but flying home for the birth of his At first, I felt bad for Bob Harig, a friend of mine, who authored the recently released `Tiger & Phil: Golf’s Most Fascinating Rivalry.’ Bob and I both grew up in the Chicago suburbs and became friends covering the pro golf scene for various media outlets. Publishing deadlines are tricky, and that meant he couldn’t include the most recent developments in the lives of these two great golfers. Tiger’s dramatic return to the 2022 Masters and successfully making the 36-hole cut, after his long layoff and recovery from his tragic auto accident, could not be included. Phil’s controversial stance and fall from PGA Tour grace involving the Saudi-backed golf tour and Phil’s efforts to leverage other players into joining the rival league, could also not be included. However, upon further reflection, I realized the lack of attention to those newsworthy items was not relevant. There will be much more to cover in the careers of both Woods and Mickelson, which will provide Harig with more than adequate material for a sequel. By Len Ziehm
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