The US Open has long been Phil Mickelson’s white whale.
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Who was furthest from the pin?
We’ll see if Spieth is capable of getting in Mickelson’s head.
Pressure? In a practice round?
Of course, Mickelson, a well-documented jokester, responded by reminding Spieth that he has something the kid does not have: A Wanamaker, the PGA Championship trophy. It was Phil and Rickie Fowler up against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.
It’s by design. It’s helped Mickelson prepare for major tournaments for a couple of decades.
Indeed, for all of Spieth’s myriad gifts – his envy-inducing short game, his magical putter, his relentless attitude – this is arguably his most impressive: He’s proven to be a quick study. As is customary, undisclosed wager amounts were involved. He was jogging down a hill at Whistling Straits when Mickelson stopped him. The water, shimmering in the morning sun, was a stunning backdrop as the teams traded birdies and reached the par 3 seventh hole all square.
The drought is among the longest of Mickelson’s career. “I don’t want you to hurt your ankle”. “Rory: “Luckily, my legs aren’t as old as yours”.
McIlroy and Spieth, ranked Nos. The PGA Championship will be McIlroy’s first appearance since the injury.
The birdie barrage continued, with Spieth-Thomas en route to a best-ball score of 12-under, Mickelson-Fowler 11-under. Heck, during Spieth’s junior days, McCormick traveled with his pupil to only a few of the big tournaments each year, such as the U.S. Junior and U.S. Amateur.
“He’s always been really high on the golf IQ spectrum”, said Spieth’s instructor, Cameron McCormick.
Part of that is trying to keep up with the young guns like Spieth, Fowler and even Thomas, who brings two straight top five finishes into his first PGA. Does that make the PGA Championship the trend-setter it’s rarely accused of being?
Until he tees off, though, Mickelson isn’t taking things too seriously.
“It fast-tracks the golf IQ, absolutely”, McCormick said.
That is at least partially what these informal “Tuesdays with Phil” matches breed. “And, they have incredible games”.
“The game is in great shape going forward”. So I don’t look at them as any harder to win. British Open, you’ve got to learn to roll it up.
And so, after Thomas made the 20 footer on 16 to go 2 up with two to go, he passed Fowler and gave him a nice slap on the butt. When the round was finished, Mickelson put on his mentor face. “It already hit a flawless shot”.
“I’ll be honest, I haven’t played 18 since that day”, Watson said at a press conference Tuesday. “And when you’re competing and trying to beat the best players in the world, unknowns are bad”.
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“There’s a little bit of nerves just strictly because of bragging rights”. Which means it’s also the final opportunity for DraftKings golf owners to collect a million dollar payday on PGA Tour action.
