Phil Mickelson could have slept in on Sunday, thanks to his third-round 4-under 67 at Valhalla lifting him to 10-under and earning the 44-year-old winner of five major titles a late-afternoon tee time.
Phil Mickelson hits one off the driving range in early PGA practice session with Butch Harmon
Phil Mickelson has made a habit this week of staking out a spot on the far end of the practice range at Valhalla and swatting golf balls under the watchful eye of swing coach Butch Harmon. This time, apparently, he wasn’t far enough.
But the guy who’s old enough to be the father of his playing partner in the penultimate pairing in today’s finale to the PGA Championship was up early and on the range with swing coach Butch Harmon, hoping to find that little something extra he’ll need to thwart 54-hole leader Rory McIlroy’s chances for a fourth major championship.
Mickelson arrived just before 9:30 a.m. with caddie Jim Mackay to get in some reps under the critical eye of Harmon, Lefty’s long-time instructing guru. Harmon, one of Tiger Woods’ renowned ex-coaches, also recently took Mickelson’s immediate Sunday rival and 25-year-old Tuesday practice buddy Rickie Fowler into the fold, so Butch will be paying especially close attention to the 2:45 p.m. ET tee time on Sunday.
Phil made his way -- as he has done each day of the tourney -- to his own private practice area on the far end of the range, secluded from distractions from the media (but for Golf Channel’s omnipresent camera) and other players. He apparently wasn’t beyond the range of putting someone in danger, however, as he pulled one right off the practice area and clenched up as the incoming ball landed somewhere off the driving range.
Even Bones and Butch had to signal spectators -- or probably just some unaware folks blissfully walking around the clubhouse area -- to take cover.
It’s never ideal when you have to signal or yell fore on the driving range, but maybe that’s why Phil got there so early to work those things out of the system.
With just Mackay and Harmon in tow, The Thrill hit some balls, packed his sticks back into his silver Mercedes SUV and drove away, presumably to rest his 44-year-old bones, grab some lunch, and hit the range later for some serious work before going head-to head with Little Rickie.
Mickelson will start his final round three shots back of McIlroy, who’s poised to win his second major of the season as well as his third straight tournament.
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