Phil cover art

Phil

The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorised!) Biography of Golf's Most Colourful Superstar

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Phil

By: Alan Shipnuck
Narrated by: Alan Shipnuck
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About this listen

 WINNER OF THE FRANCIS CLARK FINANCIAL PLANNING INTERNATIONAL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR
LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE

'Terrific fun' David Walsh, Sunday Times * * 'Thoroughly engaging' Washington Post

A frank and revealing biography of legendary golf champion Phil Mickelson - who has led a big, controversial life - as reported by longtime Sports Illustrated writer and bestselling author Alan Shipnuck.

Phil Mickelson is one of the most compelling figures in sports. For more than three decades he has been among the best golfers in the world, and his unmatched longevity was exemplified at the 2021 PGA Championship, when Mickelson, on the cusp of turning fifty-one, became the oldest player in history to win a major championship.

In this raw and unauthorised biog­raphy, Shipnuck captures a singular life defined by thrilling victories, crushing defeats and countless controversies. Mickelson is a multi-faceted character, and all his warring impulses are on display in these pages: he is a smart-ass who built an empire on being the consummate professional; a loving husband dogged by salacious rumours; a high-stakes gambler who knows the house always wins but can’t tear himself away.

Mickelson’s career and public image have been defined by the contrast with his lifelong rival, Tiger Woods. Where Woods is robotic and reticent, Mickelson is affable and extroverted, an incorrigible showman. In their early years together on Tour, Mickelson lacked Tiger’s laser focus and discipline, yet as Tiger’s career has been curtailed by scandal, addiction and a broken body, Phil sails on, still relevant on the golf course and in the marketplace.

Phil is the perfect marriage of subject and author. Shipnuck delivers numerous revelations, from the true scale of Mickelson’s massive gambling losses to the secretive backstory of the Saudi golf league that Mickelson championed. But Phil also celebrates Mickelson’s random acts of kindness and generosity of spirit, to which friends and strangers alike can attest. Shipnuck has covered Mickelson for his entire career, allowing him to take readers inside the ropes with a thrilling immediacy and intimacy. The result is the juiciest and liveliest golf book in years - full of heart, humour and unexpected turns. Golf Sports Biography Marriage Career

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Critic reviews

'Phil...is terrific fun, 19 chapters that read like Mickelson's swashbuckling back nine in the final round of the 2004 Masters. Any fan reading it will be able to tell Mickelson stories for the rest of their lives... Reading the book there are times when Mickelson's generosity and sense of fun makes you want to like him. Other times when his lack of humility and smart-alec nature are hard to stomach.' (David Walsh)
'Thoroughly engaging' (Gene Wang)
'I devoured every win, wager and ounce of Mickelson mischief in this unflinching portrayal of golf’s most complicated character. Hero? Gentleman? Jerk? Shipnuck’s masterful reporting is packed with inside information (the legal sort) that lets the reader decide. Thumbs up, indeed.' (Tom Coyne, bestselling author of A Course Called Ireland)
'For years, in all the better press tents, there’s been a debate: is there a writer BIG enough to capture Phil? Turns out, there is. Alan on Phil! Shipnuck’s latest win is no ordinary event. It’s a major.' (Michael Bamberger, bestselling author of The Second Life of Tiger Woods)
'Sports writing is often the best writing, a fact well known to those who read about sports and inconceivable to those who don’t. For a vivid reminder, look no further than this unauthorised biography... Phil is well researched, bracingly written and full of previously unreported colour; Mickelson emerges as a mercurial and charismatic figure whose record-setting golf game is possibly the least interesting thing about him.' (James Tarmy)
'A rollicking good time... Who is Phil? Shipnuck presents both the good and bad and leaves it to the reader to decide where they come out in the end... I suspect Phil’s fanbase will find reasons anew to adore him even more while his detractors will find fresh ammo to argue that he’s one of the all-time phonies.' (Adam Schupak)
'Alan Shipnuck has spent his whole career writing about and thinking about Phil, and that palpable fascination for his subject has fuelled a superb biography. Anecdotes fly off the page, made rollicking and weighty by engaged and perceptive sources. Mickelson’s golfing genius, charisma and foibles are tracked with a high-wire blend of irreverence and dispassion. For all of that, it’s Shipnuck’s unflinching pursuit of Phil’s complexity that will most endure.' (Jaime Diaz, Golf Channel commentator and bestselling co-author of The Big Miss)
All stars
Most relevant
I guess Phil is a bit like Marmite, you either like him, or you don’t, I like Phil, simple as that, yes he has his flaws, don’t we all, but in the main he comes across as a decent man, foolish perhaps, brash, loud, but we’re not all perfect.
Once you get used to the American slang the narrator and author grows on you and boy are there some stories to be shared.
His gambling addiction, habits, relationships with other players and family etc, it’s all here to listen to. He can be extremely generous, but maybe Bones would not agree, but story after story it holds you, revealing a unique character, another one I would love to have at the dinner table, if you could stop him talking…and eating.
He also plays golf, did I mention that? And, he has been very good at it over a sustained period of time and as I write this a new chapter of his, is about to unfold…good luck to him.

What a character!

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Written like a GCSE paper - Very irritating use of Americanism's made worse by the fact that it was narrated by the author. Maybe it would be better read rather than audiobook. Some interesting insights into the player, but all significantly biased by the authors opinion. The book is barely more than a couple of podcasts of content. Glad I didn't buy it and used the free audible trial!

Obnoxious writing style, Irritating Narration

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Enjoyed this, listened a little too quickly on audible so about to start over. Some very interesting insights!

Interesting read

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It sounds like the writer feels a grudge against the man he commits a whole book about. Could have been a lot more interesting with more ups and downs as life always is.

Mediocre story

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Even if you've followed golf all these years and think you know all there is to know about Phil, you should still read this book. highly entertaining. I'm not sure what to follow it with. it's that good.

Loved every minute.

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