Why Phil Mickelson is wearing long-sleeve dress shirts to play in Florida heat
Phil Mickelson got more attention for what he wore in the first round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida than how he played.
And it was for good reason, too. Mickelson’s game was not up to par — not even close — as he finished Thursday’s first round at 7-over par 79, thanks to three double bogeys in the final five holes.
But his shirt — now that really stood out.
He wore a long-sleeve button-down shirt, something that’s normally more appropriate for an office or a fancy dinner than the golf course.
Even Golf Channel announcer Nick Faldo had fun with it.
“The only consolation I’ve got for Phil is that (his wife) Amy’s bought him a lovely set of diamond-crested cufflinks to wear with his shirt tonight for dinner,” Faldo said on the broadcast, according to Golf Week.
Mickelson’s playing partner, Tiger Woods, who shot an even-par 72, had a joke ready at the first tee. “Business casual today?” Woods asked.
Fans had fun with Mickelson’s shirt too, with at least one Twitter user likening what he wore to the famous “puffy shirt” episode on “Seinfeld.”
As it turns out, the shirt is made by a company called Mizzen+Main, which Mickelson has an endorsement deal with and owns a stake in.
“Phil is one of the most well-known golfers of all time and loved by virtually every fan in golf,” Mizzen+Main founder Kevin Lavelle told ESPN. “Having someone at this level demonstrate so clearly the performance capabilities of our dress shirts while competing is absolutely phenomenal.”
Long sleeves didn’t look comfortable in the 85-degree Florida heat, but Mickelson didn’t have complaints — at least not about his clothes.
“I actually really like it,” Mickelson said, according to the Orlando Sentinel. “I think nobody does kind of slightly overweight middle-age guy better than me — and this says exactly who I am.”
Through the first 9 holes of the second round, Mickelson was 2-over par, putting him at 9-over for the tournament. If he keeps it up, we probably won’t be seeing his fashion statement over the weekend.
His playing partner Tiger Woods remained at even par through nine holes. He needs to sink some birdies to ensure he makes the cut.
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