Lorraine Kelly: Golfer Phil Mickleson shows family is more precious than tee time

AS it is Father’s Day I’d like to nominate a contender for “Dad of the Decade”.

Step forward Phil Mickelson, top golfer and all-round good guy.

Instead of playing in this weekend’s US Open, the only major event he has never won, the 46-year-old attended his daughter’s graduation.

Here is a man who has got his priorities right.

Phil’s daughter, Amanda, was born in 1999, just a day after the conclusion of that year’s US Open.

Her dad was runner-up in the tournament after saying beforehand that, if his wife went into labour, he would have simply left his clubs and his caddy behind and rushed to her side.

The American, who went on to win the British Open at Muirfield in 2013, knows what is important in life.

These big family occasions, such as the birth of a baby, christenings, graduations or weddings, are far more important than anything else.

Back when I worked for Talk Radio’s mid-morning show, my daughter Rosie was cast as Mary in her nursery school’s nativity play.

I knew this was something I couldn’t miss so I found a volunteer to stand in for me and asked for that one morning off.

My request was refused. Thereafter ensued a kind of Mexican stand-off. I had to threaten to leave before we managed to reach an agreement, but there was no way I was missing such an important event.

Of course, the nativity was a glorious shambles.

The kids were only three and four years old.

They forgot the words, the baby Jesus doll was held upside down, Joseph picked his nose and they were all out of tune while singing Away In A Manger, but it was still one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

Rosie looked like an angel and I was very proud of her.

I can remember every nanosecond of that nativity play, but I don’t recall a single programme from my two years with Talk Radio, which really says it all.

I am lucky to have a job that I really enjoy.

But it is just a job at the end of the day.

Your family and friends are the most important things in the world.

Phil is a hugely competitive sportsman and he desperately wants to win the US Open.

Despite his best efforts in the past, this has always been the one tournament which has eluded him.

However, it would have been impossible for him to both visit California to see his daughter graduate and fly to Wisconsin to contend in the tournament.

He made a choice.

I think it was absolutely the right one.

I’m sure his wife and daughter were thrilled that he chose to be with his family rather than out on the golf course, even if it meant he lost his chance for glory and a big fat pay cheque.

Some things are more important than cold hard cash.

So if you are lucky enough to still to have your dad in your life then I hope you spoil him today. It’s a chance for us all to say thank you to our fathers.