Amy Mickelson surprises the U.S. team, including her husband: Local Knowledge: Golf Digest

Amy Mickelson surprises the U.S. team, including her husband

Sunday, October 11, 2009 Comments

SAN FRANCISCO -- Should Phil Mickelson continue his impressive Presidents Cup run in his singles match today against Retief Goosen, some of his inspiration may have been drawn from a surprise visitor to the team hotel Saturday night.

That would be wife Amy, who flew in to join the U.S. team at the downtown Fairmont, catching even her husband off guard in the process. Usually at the heart of team events like this, Amy Mickelson hasn't been on tour with her husband since beginning treatment for breast cancer last spring.

"She was like this angel that came in," U.S. assistant captain Jay Haas said. "Everybody just gravitated to her. Phil wanted her to eat, but she couldn't because of all the girls around her."

As welcome a sight as it was, Phil Mickelson's first reaction to seeing his wife was one of shock.

"She was in his room and he didn't know it," said Haas. "He was laying on the bed and she popped out, and it scared the crap out of him. He had a huge grin on his face last night at dinner."

In his first speech of the week to the U.S. team, honorary captain Michael Jordan referenced Amy's battle with the disease, and her strength in making the trip to San Francisco.

-- Tim Rosaforte