Phil Mickelson "dances on a driving range while nonchalantly dodging incoming golf balls" in a new ad breaking today for apparel company Mizzen+Main, according to Steve DiMeglio of USA TODAY. The ad, which promotes the Kennedy-style shirt, comes after Mickelson signed an endorsement deal with the company in May. Mickelson said, "I've never been a good dancer. So, I'm very self-conscious about dancing. But sometimes you have to go out of your comfort zone." DiMeglio writes Mickelson is "no John Travolta in 'Saturday Night Fever'" in the spot, but he "certainly isn't Elaine Benes either." Mickelson: "I think it's funny. It's a great way for me to laugh at myself" (USATODAY.com, 8/2). ESPN's Darren Rovell notes the ad, which debuted today on Golf Channel, represents Mizzen+Main's "first ever TV commercial" (TWITTER.com, 8/2).
BURNED INTO YOUR BRAIN: GOLF DIGEST's Stephen Hennessey writes viewers are not going to be "able to unsee" the commercial. It is "unlike anything you could've imagine Phil doing." Hennessey: "Phil doing the worm? Yes, that's included. Karate chopping golf balls flying at him at a range that has been superimposed? Yep, that's in there, too" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 8/2). PGA.com's Joe Boozell writes Mickelson's moves "are tremendous." The music "fits the vibe," and Mickelson's expression the entire time is "priceless" (PGA.com, 8/2). GOLFWEEK's Brentley Romine wrote the commercial should "make Mickelson a hot commodity at weddings and other special events with a dance floor" (GOLFWEEK.com, 8/2). ESPN's Trey Wingo said, "Someone retweeted, 'This is either the best commercial ever or the worst commercial ever. There is no in between.'" Wingo added, "That's out there and I can't stop staring at it" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPNews, 8/2). SI.com's Khadrice Rollins: "Have you ever seen something so unbelievably ridiculous and absurd that you couldn't look away no matter how much it killed you on the inside to keep watching?" (SI.com, 8/2). The ARIZONA REPUBLIC writes Mickelson has one win and six Top 10 finishes this season, but the "commercial probably isn't one of them" (AZCENTRAL.com, 8/2).
