The PGA Championship: Day 3
August 12 2011
7:22 pm Mickelson gives it all back at 18
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Phil Mickelson couldn’t stand prosperity on Friday at the Atlanta Athletic Club.
The big lefthander had patiently worked his way up the leaderboard, playing his first 17 holes without a bogey and moving to 2 under for the day and 1 under for the tournament. But Mickelson gave that back in one fell swoop when his approach at the 18th hole found the water and he made double bogey.
Even so, he couldn’t be too disappointed.
"I played really well today, and the thing I was most pleased with was I had a lot of putts that were (catching) the lips and I was getting frustrated, but I was able to stay patient and make some birdies," Mickelson said before reconsidering with a smile. "I say some; two, which was a lot for me.
"… But I was able to stay patient and then make that one on 17, it felt great. I thought I was going to get home to the house but unfortunately doubled the last."
Mickelson ended up with an even par 70 and will start the third round six strokes off the pace at 1 over. He moved up 10 spots on the leaderboard but he knows there are plenty of players between him and the top spot.
"Because there’s so many guys ahead of me, I have to shoot a low number," Mickelson said. "I can’t wait for anybody to come back because there’s too many guys up there. So I have to shoot something, 4 , 5 , 6 under tomorrow.
"It’s certainly out there. Guys are doing it every day. It’s certainly out there. I just need to go out and shoot it."
Mickelson is a four-time major champion but he thinks execution will be more critical than experience over the final 36 holes.
"I just think that you’ve got to hit the shots and make some putts," Mickelson said. "… For 17 holes, I played well and then it was just the last hole I didn’t."
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Phil, you were very stupid to try that shot when you finally made the move. What the hell is wrong with your mind????
Phil why do you always blow a good round of golf??! Why don’t you use your head once in a while?? I always root for you but it is very frustrating to watch you blow either your lead or a good round of golf. Please use your head once in a while and see what happens!!
It never ceases to amaze me how Phil is criticized for taking chances. How many tournaments would he have won if not for his go for it style or for that matter, how many great shots have put him in contention when being cautious would have left him out of the pack. Keep going for it Phil, its what makes you special.
I’m not a fan of Phil but I have nothing against him either but I do admire his ability to make aggressive shots. That’s not easy to do as you get older.
phil mickelson is one of the all time greatest golfers. you holier than thou critics need to shut up & get friggen life.
Everyone is getting on Phil for hitting it in the water on 18. Did you watch the tourney? Looked like half the fieldh it in the water on 18. The drop zone was tore up from all the shots from there. Give the guy a break.
Don and Richard are obviously a pair of wankers…..
guys, do you really think mickelson goes home , opens pgatour.com , searches articles on himself, reads and responds to idiots advise and comments..
I like Phil maybe he plays a little recklessly at times but his comments are always interesting. From Tiger’s perspective this is two weeks in a row Stevie has made more money than he has.
18th hole is worst I can remember for a major…why trick up the course, so great players can’t win? By the way, why no PGA’s in the west…..
teddy – you are right. Tiger made $2,500 this week for failing to make the cut and his former caddie will make more money depending on where Adam Scott finishes on Sunday.
This is the 16 straight time that Phil Mickelson has made-the-cut at the PGA and that is well ahead of the next American Golfer.
I like Phil and have been following him throughout his Pro Tour along with Tiger Woods. Throughout his career, Phil has always been near the Top and usually gives a good account of himself. The future Hall-of-famer methodically rolls along and deserves a great deal of respect for the image he presents to Golf.
At least Phil has made it through all the majors this year. Perhaps the TV commentators will mention this or put the scores up for all viewers to enjoy.
Leading scores after 14 rounds:
Charl Schwartzel 981 (11 under par)
Rory McIlroy 982 (-10)
YE Yang 984 (-8)
Steve Stricker 986 (-6)
S Garcia 990 (-2)
also R Palmer (+4) P Mickelson (+5) G Woodland (+8) B Haas (+13) B Watson (+21) E Molinari (+23)
Full records of previous years http://www.golf-majors-champion.com/
Those criticizing Phil have to take a closer look at #18. No matter where the tees are placed, the landing area is the same with water pinching in the fairway on the left and bunkers lining the left. Obviously you want to miss the water, but the bunkers are no good either because of the soft sand that makes it impossible to predict what type of contact can be made with the ball. Why else would guys leave the driver in the bag on a 500+ yard hole?
This landing area will leave a 200+ yard shot off the fairway to a shallow green with water guarding the entire front side. Going long into the bunkers could easily leave a downhill lie to a green sloping away from the player toward the water. The target is small, and players are hitting into the green with long irons that they cannot stop quickly.
Phil slightly mis-hit his second shot which is easy to do when one is trying to hit a 230+ yard 4-iron. As aforementioned, clubbing up and going long could end up being calamitous as well. Can’t really criticize his decision making there, especially in light of how many other good players suffered the same/a similar fate.
6 back through 36 on a tough-but-gettable course is by no means insurmountable, but as Phil said, he has to shoot 3-under or better tomorrow to be in the mix for Sunday.
correction – bunkers lining the RIGHT
Phil played the toughest stretch, holes #15-#18, in +1 which definitely is better than average.
If anything, his chance for a great round was lost when he couldn’t birdie the first par 5 and the birdie holes that preceded the hellacious final four.
Keep on attacking the flag Phil; it is the only way to win tournaments these days.
There are too many golfers around these days with similar abilities. You only have to look at the winners from the last two years – not many multiple winners and this year lots of rookies as well.
If you don’t play aggressive golf, then you are not in the hunt on Sundays……
Go Phil! He’s a heck of a golfer and I’m certainly not going to question how he played 18. Nobody is going to play flawless golf out there, obviously. I’m just glad he’s in contention for a top 10 finish in yet another major. Hopefully if he’s playing well tomorrow, the TV coverage will give him good airtime.
I have always been a fan of Phil’s. He loves to play aggressive and that’s what makes him Phil. Another foot and his shot to the green on 18 would have cleared the water. Hang in there Phil.
phil is the best player in the world at present. forget about the rankings. Come the majors he the main threat. theres no doubt that a phil round for his suppoters gives one palpatations as he did at the open, but thats sport ; and when he pulls it. off its sheer joy and genis. go phil my man and win this sunday
thats genius
Phil is a fantastic and exciting player to watch. Let’s not criticise. He has been through alot with his wife having breast cancer. It takes alot to understand. I know from experience.
I love Phil and root for him but sometimes he reminds me of tin cup.
(give another ball) or nobody remembers who won but your 13 will be immortal.
Phil is by far the most entertaining player to watch on tour, when things go right no one can compare! I’d rather watch him have the odd tin cup moment between setting it alight than spend five hours watching someone plod their way round!
Phil didn’t make a bad decision on 18…..he had enough club, just slightly pulled it.
As somebody said above……going long on 18, especially where the pin was on Friday, is no easy up and down.
I thought he played well from tee to green, just didn’t putt well enough.
Like Phil said, he needs -3 / -6 Saturday and abit of luck that no one pulls away, to be in with a great shot at his fifth major………….
Yeah – I wish the commentators would just QUIT on Phil Mickelson. He is talented, fun to watch and better than ANY golf announcers – Ian who?, Nick Faldo – let it go – I’ll take Jim Nantz any day of the week over Johnny Miller and the other armchair experts.
Phil is Phil – his style has served him well – he reminds me of my husband when he comes in and says good nine – bad nine. I keep trying to get him to play his bad nine first but he won’t listen. Says something like you don’t know its bad ’til the 18 is over.
Go Phil – I will always be in your corner.
Tremendous issues here. I am very happy to see your post. Thank you a lot and I’m taking a look ahead to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?