Brave and/or stupid person stands directly in front of Phil Mickelson flop shot

Hall-of-Fame players often have a characteristic shot that we first associate with their legendary careers. We’ve got almost three decades of wild and obscene Phil Mickelson shots to work with now, but his short game is often what we go to first when describing Phil’s talents. And the flop is often considered the defining shot within that short game oeuvre.

We’ve seen Phil pull off plenty of tricks with his wedges over the years and he was back at it on Tuesday at the British Open. Gary Evans, a Euro Tour pro, stepped up as the obstacle for Phil as the two messed around back in the equipment area at Carnoustie.

Here’s the slo-mo, if you’re into that kind of thing.

Evans did flinch a little bit, but it’s hard not to move when you have a full swing coming right at you from just a few feet. Also, this is Scottish linksland and that lie is pretty tight. He’s not exactly flopping it from a fluffy lie that’s in an inch or two of longer grass.

And if you want to be a truther, here’s the angle from behind Evans via Phil’s brother and caddie, Tim Mickelson. It went right over Evans and cleared with some room to spare.

Phil seemed to be in a mood for this old trick, practicing it earlier next to a giggling Jon Rahm. Only that time, he used a golf bag as the obstacle and not an actual human right in front of him.

Maybe this a sign for a good week to come — Phil up to some trademark games and not grousing about the course or host organization. Phil back in contention and not as the subject of another rules sideshow is probably how most (perhaps not this writer) want it.