What if Phil Mickelson and Mack Brown amended their bet?

With the Masters being moved back to this weekend due to COVID, perhaps the three-time champion should revisit the fun bet he made with Carolina’s football coach back in 2003.

The famed lefthander was still seeking his first Green Jacket when he partnered with the Texas football coach at the 2000 Byron Nelson Pro-Am. They became friends, and Brown’s Longhorns made the 2003 Holiday Bowl in Mickelson’s hometown of San Diego.

During dinner at the Mickelson home the night before the game, “Lefty” said to the 52-year-old coach who was building his Hall of Fame resume in his sixth season at Texas, “I’m going to win at Augusta this year and you’re going to win the national championship. And then we’re gong to take 25 of our best friends and go to Cabo.”

Mickelson won his first Masters the following April, sinking a putt on the 72nd hole and celebrating with what Brown kiddingly called the “6-inch vertical jump.” He phoned Brown a few days later and said, “I’ve done my deal. Now it’s your turn.”

The 12-1 Longhorns beat Michigan at the Rose Bowl the next season, with Mickelson watching from the sideline. Lefty gave Brown a big hug in the locker room and whispered in his ear, “Sorry, Mack, you finished third (in the rankings). That doesn’t count.”

A year later, Texas broke though and won the BCS national championship by beating Southern Cal in one of the greatest college football games ever played. After the 41-38 thriller, Mickelson told Brown they had a problem. “A lot more than 25 want to go to Cabo with us.”

They all went and had a memorable week. Now, with Mickelson chasing a fourth Green Jacket and Brown’s Tar Heels still having an outside chance at the ACC championship, maybe they should bet again.

Lefty is now 50 and a long shot at Augusta, and Brown has a very good team but not yet of national championship ilk. What if Mickelson finishes third this weekend and UNC ends up third in the ACC?

They can go back to Cabo – this time with a smaller, older crowd.

 

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