Forbes.com the other day listed the world's top-earning athletes, counting salaries, prize money and endorsements. Of course, Tiger Woods was first. David Beckham was second. No surprise there either.
But who was tied for third? None other than Phil Mickelson, who reportedly took in $45 million last year, about $35 million in sponsorship deals (he tied with Michael Jordan, who still is considered relevant to the athlete category by Forbes even though he is retired). That says something about the strength of his personality and appeal.
The strength of his game is another question. The door was wide open this year after Tiger Woods went out with knee surgery. Yet Mickelson couldn't even make it to the threshold in the British Open and got only to the fringes of contention at the PGA Championship Sunday.
Does he overthink or overprepare? Is he still bothered by the collapse at Winged Foot,when he was on the verge of being the hottest golfer on the planet? Or is it just a matter of not being able to hit straight enough off the tee.
It's not clear. What we do know is that he has a lot of work to do before he wins the Career Grand Slam, the mark of a really elite golfer. And he has more than a little work to do before he really earns his status at the top of the world athlete money scale.