Phil honors Seve at Champions Dinner
Phil Mickelson speaks with the media during a practice round prior to the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (April 5, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Paella de marisco and filete de res mignon were on the menu at the Champions Dinner Tuesday , and Seve Ballesteros was on everyone's mind. That was the point, Phil Mickelson said.
As defending champion and host of the dinner that brings back past Masters winners, Mickelson chose Spanish cuisine to honor the golfer who could not be there as he is battling brain cancer.
"I just want him to know that we all wish he was here and we are thinking about him," Mickelson said, adding that his family was bolstered by support from fellow pros after his wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Plus, he has special regard for Ballesteros, the two-time Masters champion from Spain. "At 17, he was the guy I wanted to play with," Mickelson said. "I loved the way he played and was drawn in by his charisma and he didn't let me down at all. He was every bit the gentleman I thought he was and more."
Westwood's near miss
Lee Westwood, world No. 2 and a frequent contender in majors (he led after three rounds here last year), had a bit of a scare trying to get to Augusta from Houston by private jet this week.
"We took off, got about I guess three or four minutes in the air, and there was some smoke in the cabin, so the pilots donned the gas masks or whatever, oxygen masks, and turned it around fairly quickly," he said. "It was a bit nervy for three or four minutes. But not as drama-filled as some would have you make out; if you read the Sun, you would think we were on fire and landing like Memphis Belle or something like that."
