Success finds Mickelson in tough season

From the “best to never win a major” tag to his “I am such an idiot” assessment after the meltdown at Winged Foot, Mickelson is the one player in this era who has caught so many bad breaks that even fans of his rivals sympathize and root for him.

Mickelson’s 2009 season marked his toughest year yet — and by now you know it had nothing to do with birdies or bogeys.

In May, Mickelson’s wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Six weeks later, he revealed that his mother, Mary, also had the disease. What an unimaginable hardship for any family, let alone the Mickelsons, who have three young children.

Mickelson had his priorities in order, though. Forget about golf. He played just two back-to-back events during a three-month span, one of those a tie for second at the U.S. Open, and flew home to San Diego to check on Amy in between.

How moved was the PGA TOUR? There were private words and public support from the players — particularly during the “Pink Out” at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, where Mickelson would have been defending his title.

Mickelson was his usual gracious self in acknowledging the outpouring, but he still had to cope.

“I’ve never been this emotional where if I’m driving alone or what have you I’ll just start crying,” Mickelson said at the St. Jude Classic presented by FedEx in June. “It’s kind of a weird thing. I’m looking forward to have a four- or five-hour mental break where I force myself to focus on something else. I’m looking forward to that. I’m very proud of my wife and my mom on the fight that they’ve been through, and we’ve been fortunate in the long-term,” Mickelson said at THE TOUR Championship. “We’re in good shape. Although day-to-day is tough, and the meds are tough, and it’s not easy for them, we’re fortunate that our long-term outlook looks good.”