PHIL MICKELSON IS IN MEMPHIS THIS WEEK trying to find some game before he heads to Pinehurst for the 114th U.S. Open. Mickelson has no top tens in 13 starts this season. In addition, he has been dogged in recent days by allegations of insider trading. Lefty has professed his innocence.
In the above video, after walking off the 18th green, he professed his love for Pinehurst No. 2.
“I think everybody loves it,” Phil said about the Bill Coore-Ben Crenshaw restoration of the famed Donald Ross design.
Today, in advance of the FedEx St. Jude Classic and as quoted by GolfChannel.com’s Ryan Lavner, Mickelson expressed confidence in his ability to compete on the long and tricky layout. No surprise there, I suppose.
“Not many people are going to hit greens,” Phil said. “But I liked it, because short game became a factor. If we all miss every green, I feel like I’ve got the best chance.”
If we’ve learned anything by this late stage of Mickelson’s career, it might be don’t count him out. After all, who thought he had a chance at Muirfield last July?
And now his name is etched on the Claret Jug.