At The Barclays You're Either a Tiger Woods or a Phil Mickelson Fan

JERSEY CITY, NJ – If you’ve ever been to the New York/New Jersey area, you’ll know that there’s an unwritten rule amongst local sports fans – you pick a team, and you live and die with your choice.

You’re either a Mets or Yankees fan; a Jets or Giants fan; a Knicks or Nets fan – there’s no in between.

And when it comes to golf, you’re either a Tiger or a Phil fan.

On Thursday morning at Liberty National, a member of Tiger’s gallery asked his buddy what time Mickelson was teeing off.  His friend promptly replied by saying "who cares."

When Mickelson hit a horrendous bunker shot on the 8th hole and verbally displayed his disappointment, a member of the gallery yelled “he’s pulling a Tiger."

Needless to say, Tiger draws massive crowds everywhere he goes, yet Tiger’s fans are vastly different to Phil’s.

As Tiger walks by, the awe factor immediately sets in.  Obviously each and every member of the gallery would love to jump up and yell “Wow, it’s Tiger Woods!”, but they refrain from doing so because they feel as if there’s a need to be quiet and respectful in his presence.

Woods is the most recognizable athlete on the planet and in a poll conducted last year, he was even more recognizable than the President of the United States.

Cameras flash in unison with each step he takes, and fans look on with their mouths hung open as he calmly walks by them.

Tiger Woods is certainly the superstar, but Phil Mickelson is the rock star.

As Mickelson made his way around Liberty National on Thursday afternoon en-route to a one-under-par 70, the place turned into Giants Stadium during a Bruce Springsteen concert.

Liberty National was perhaps the only place on the face of the planet where Wall Street executives, blue collar workers, and men who appeared to come straight out of an episode of the Sopranos had something in common – they were all there to cheer on Phil Mickelson.  

Mickelson must go home completely exhausted after every round he plays in the New York/New Jersey area.

Why?

Because not only does he have to walk close to seven miles while hitting 70 golf shots, but he also has to lift his arm to tip his cap around 200 times per round.

Aside from the occasional “nice pants” directed at Kenny Perry who appeared to be wearing a pair of pajamas, or “Nice toss at the game the other night” directed at Lucas Glover who threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, you wouldn’t even know that these two very accomplished golfers were in the same group with Mickelson.

But, despite all the attention given to Woods, Mickelson, and Lady Liberty who could be seen off in the distance, it was Paul Gydos, Steve Marino and Sergio Garcia who drove away in their courtesy BMWs sharing the 18-hole lead.

Goydos, Marino and Garcia each carded six-under par rounds of 65.  

Heavy favorite Tiger Woods began his round on the 10th hole directly behind Y.E. Yang, which is exactly where his name appeared on the final leaderboard less than two weeks ago at the PGA Championship.

As Woods was lining up his putt on the 10th green, Yang could be seen glancing over at him as he walked off the 11th tee box.  Perhaps Yang didn’t know Woods was playing in the group behind him and simply wanted to see what all the commotion was about, or perhaps he wanted to relive the PGA Championship in his mind one last time before moving on.

Either way, there was only one man on the golf course today in Jersey City that could say with a straight face that he took down Tiger Woods in a major championship – Y.E. Yang.

Although Yang may have been walking with his head held a little higher than usual, it was Woods that edged him out by a stroke on this day.

Yang carded a 71 this morning, while Woods finished shortly thereafter with a one-under-par round of 70.

Uneventful would be the best way to describe Woods’ opening round at the Barclays.

Woods made 15 pars, two birdies and one bogey.

There’s certainly a lot of golf left to be played at The Barclays.

But, it’s no secret what the fans here want – a Tiger vs. Phil showdown with Lady Liberty and the Manhattan skyline sitting majestically off in the distance.