Johnny: In California Phil's Won More Than "Even Me"

Previewing the U.S. Open at Olympic where he played as an amateur and will manage to work himself into the conversation at least 4391 times during the telecasts this year, Johnny Miller tells Golf Magazine he likes Phil Mickelson's chances this year.

Of course, it's because of a tip Johnny gave Phil.

PHIL MICKELSON: This might be Phil's last chance to win a U.S. Open. He's won more in California than maybe anyone, even me. He wants that first U.S. Open so much, and you know he'll be prepared. And who knows -- after I gave him my tip about the "reverse-bank" theory, maybe that'll put him over the top!

Phil's Fabulous Fifteenth Flop

John Strege with media notes and the telecast highlight, Phil Mickelson's 15th hole flop shot Saturday.

"He has to think that's not the option," CBS' Nick Faldo said, "but saying that, that means Phil will go for it."

Indeed, Phil the Thrill had his 64-degree wedge in hand, laid it wide open and hit a shot that might come to define this Masters, should he win on Sunday.

"No one hits that shot. No one," CBS' David Feherty said. "If this doesn't make every hair on your body stand up you need therapy. Nobody but Mickelson even thinks about trying a shot like that."

Ron Sirak wrote about Phil's back nine 30 and the shot:

Lefty picked up another birdie on No. 15, hitting the kind of flop shot only he can hit. "There was a lot of risk in that shot," Mickelson said about hitting back toward the water. "But that's why I put the 64-degree wedge in the bag to hit that shot off these tights lies."

In lieu of official highlights, here is a version of it...

Update on 2012-04-08 10:42 by Geoff

**Gene Wojciechowski described Phil's shot as only a multiple award-winning GWAA writer can:

But wait, then Phil tied them 14 minutes later after a flop shot that nearly tickled the belly of a corporate jet overhead, followed by a birdie putt, followed by more pneumatic riveter decibel levels.

Reason #16,239 To Do Something About The Ball: Phil And Colonial Edition

Bill Nichols reports that Phil Mickelson has permanently changed up his Texas schedule, dropping Colonial for the Byron Nelson.

It's a golf architecture-driven decision.

Designer Keith Foster was brought in to renovate and move fairway bunkers that had grown obsolete. He changed the pitch of some landing areas to keep pros from hitting downslopes that were never supposed to be reached from the tee.

``With the redesign, I’m afraid I won’t be playing it anymore,’’ Mickelson said. ``It doesn’t give me a power advantage. I know all the shotmakers will be there every year. But I don’t see any of the long hitters playing there anymore. There’s no decision making now; it’s all irons, irons, irons.’’

The rationale is certainly understandable if you are trying to get ready for a U.S. Open, or as he states, you value your power advantage. Though he may be hitting his fair share of irons off the tees at Olympic Club!

2012 Northern Trust Open, Round 1 This And That

First round leader Phil Mickelson (click image to enlarge)A fantastic day for watching golf, not so fun if you had to play Riviera in the steady 15 m.p.h winds that gusted to 30 at times until 2:45 p.m. Though Phil Mickelson's opening 66 was impressive on many levels, Jonathan Byrd's morning 68 during the worst winds stands out as the day's most impressive round.

Random observations from the day:

- Mickelson is on cruise control. He appears to be visualizing shots before pulling the trigger and looks fully engaged in the task at hand. He's putting beautifully and managing the course to perfection, with the only blemish a missed up-and-down opportunity from above the 16th hole. With the wind expected to be better Friday morning he's poised to take advantage of a favorable draw. His chip-in on 18 at dusk was nice but it was the driver off the deck at 11 that was most impressive. He talked about it after the round.

- It was a masterful course setup job by the PGA Tour rules staff and agronomist, who only ordered the greens to be single cut. Normally there is a double cut and roll. Had they pushed forward with normal preparation the greens would have become unputtable during the dry morning winds. Tees and holes were well located to take advantage of the non-prevailing wind, with only the 5th hole location standing out as questionable. But that may more a product of the abominable green complex renovation than it is a statement about setup.

The 10th green flag around 7:45 am (click image to enlarge)- Amateurs Patrick Cantlay (78) and Jordan Spieth (76) understandably struggled in the morning winds. But both exude supreme confidence that never comes across as cockiness. Spieth looked more confident in his game than playing partners Ryo Ishikawa and Danny Lee, who each appeared to be obsessing way too much over mechanics.

-Media Lunch Report: Spinach Salmon or Tandori Chicken, Spinach and Strawberry salad with a raspberry vinaigrette, white Jasmine Rice ("sounds like a Tiger mistress" as Strege so infamously branded it two years ago) and a home run mystery cake/almond topped bar that managed to top the already stellar cookies. We have it rough here.

- You never appreciate the value of standards bearers until they aren't there. Because of the high wind warning, tournament officials did not send the scoreboard holding volunteers during afternoon play. I will remember to hug one tomorrow.

Mickelson tees off at the 11th (click to enlarge)- The PGA Tour's finest will not, under any circumstance, lay up on the par-4 10th. No matter how windy, no matter how wise a play it was today playing downwind with the green on edge with the hole cut center-back-left, even though the percentages reward those laying up. For the record, here is the honor roll of those who layed-up short left to open up the best angle of attack, with their scores: Brandt Jobe (3), Justin Leonard (3), Tim Clark (4), John Merrick (4), Paul Goydos (4). Funny thing, no one had made 5 laying up left yet.

- The first groups out took five hours which not only guaranteed the round would not finish, but 30 have yet to finish the first round and will resume at 7 a.m. Friday. Sadly, a 144 player field is just no longer possible with today's pace of play.

From ShotLink (the grays have not finished the hole due to darkness):

And Phil driving the 10th today:

Mickelson Suing To I.D. Looney Comment Poster

Nickeesha Swaby of Courthouse News reports that Phil Mickelson is suing Videotron S.E.N.C. in Quebec Superior Court "seeking the identity of the author" of "several highly defamatory statements posted by one or more individual on the Internet, in particular on a Yahoo! website, under the pseudonyms of 'Fogroller' and 'Longitude.'"

In his complaint, Mickelson says the San Diego Superior Court authorized him to subpoena Yahoo! for information about "Fogroller" and "Longitude," and Yahoo! responded with Fogroller's Internet protocol address, which is registered to a Videotron subscriber.

Videotron's attorney said Mickelson needs a court order for the company to provide him with the information he seeks. Mickelson seeks the court order.

"It is urgent, and in the best interest of justice, to accurately identify the person using the 'Fogroller' pseudonym and posting these offensive and defamatory statements, in order to stop the dissemination of false and wrongful statements about the plaintiff and obtain reparation for the prejudice already suffered," the complaint states.

Personally, I think this is fantastic he's suing though I'm a bit surprised Yahoo has left many of these comments up (you can catch some of the postings here and here). Since it seems quite apparent to me that the names in question are posting under other names not mentioned in the suit (same writing style, same agenda, same lunacy, same accusations never proven).

It also seems quite obvious that the person in question needs serious help and has an agenda to defame Mickelson. You go Phil.