“Throw the First Punch”: Phil Mickelson’s Grim Face Gets Revealed After His Nemesis Alan Shipnuck Brings Out a 1999 Major Event Story to Light

Uncharted fame brings within self a variety of unsolicited opinions and public scrutiny of even the tiniest of movements. Such is the fate of Phil Mickelson who received much fame at the earlier part of his career and since then has been in constant limelight.

While hundreds of media information circulate about him every day sometimes some hurtful comments find their way to him and leave some damage. And such an exact incident happened with Mickelson in the 1999 PGA Championship when he came face to face with his nemesis Alan Shipnuck.

When Phil Mickelson fiercely confronted journalist Alan Shipnuck

Phil Mickelson’s life choices have always been a subject matter of media debate. When he chose to move on with LIV Golf this decision received much highlight. But this was always the case with him. Even two decades ago when Mickelson was suffering from an eating disorder his problem was much pursued by a media person.

Last month, sports journalist Alan Shipnuck released a book named Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar in which he covered the life and career of the lefty. In an extract in this book, Shipnuck explains how Mickelson confronted him after the 1999 PGA Championship at a press conference because of his remarks.

During the presser, Mickelson refused to answer Shipnuck’s question, and then later he called him aside and said, “Some of the stuff in your little web column is bulls**t, he said” Shipnuck writes in the book. “It was the first time I’d ever known him to employ profanity.”

Shipnuck has been a sports writer at Sports Illustrated and Golf Magazine. He has covered news on Mickelson for a long time.

Mickelson called Shipnuck’s comments on him bullshit

Continuing about the scary physical interaction with Mickelson, Shipnuck continues ‘I offered a highfalutin explanation that I was leading a revolution in golf journalism by giving a voice to the casual fan. Phil wasn’t having it. That’s bulls**t, too,” he said. “If you have a problem with me, just throw the first punch.” He stepped a little closer. “Just throw the first punch.” 

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Fortunately for Alan, he dodged a bullet that day. However, he made a bold move by releasing a biography on the golfer which Mickelson did not ask for in the first place.

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