La Quinta, Jan 21: Last year was a scary one for Phil Mickelson, in ways far more significant than concerns that his golf game was unraveling. The birth of his and wife Amy's third child was life-threatening both for her and the baby, Mickelson said.
``I didn't really get into it too much, but Amy had a very dangerous delivery with the birth of Evan,'' Mickelson said. ``He had a very difficult delivery, too.
``He didn't breathe for seven minutes, and had the emergency nurses not been there with the equipment ready, he might have had some severe brain damage or other circumstances.''
It was also touch-and-go for his wife during the birth last March. ``We were two or three minutes away from losing her,'' Mickelson said.
He explained that the radiologist was nearby when the problem was discovered, so was able to quickly perform an emergency procedure.



``They had to stop a six-inch tear in a major artery, or I would have been without my wife,'' Mickelson said.



And now? ``I am so excited about 2004 because my wife's health is 100 percent, my son's health is 100 percent, and my two daughters are doing great,'' he said.


Bureau Report