Mickelson steals the spotlight from Jon Rahm

LIV Golf returns to Miami, particularly to Trump Nationwide Doral, for the fourth consecutive 12 months. This Friday, the 54-hole circuit occasion kicks off, with Sergio García’s Fireballs GC staff in search of their fourth consecutive victory on this class. After the Singapore event, which Joaquín Niemann gained individually, the Chilean climbed to primary on this rating, with Jon Rahm second and García third.

On the desk for the primary press convention of the day in Doral have been three Martens winners: Phil Mickelson, Sergio, and Jon. Inevitably, the dialog turned to the occasion beginning subsequent week at Augusta Nationwide, and it have to be stated that it received very fascinating.

García was reminded that he will likely be enjoying in his a centesimal main. The Castellón native started by joking: “Not as many as Phil, nevertheless it’s loads.” The Spaniard added: “This reveals, similar to Phil, the standard and consistency we have had all through our careers. Not many have surpassed the 100-major mark, so it is an honor and one thing I am very happy with. I am actually trying ahead to going. I am going to actually benefit from the week it doesn’t matter what. Clearly, I will give it my all.”

Mickelson went even additional: “Historical past is made there [at Augusta] yearly. To be a part of previous historical past, having gained thrice, realizing that each time we come again we’re a part of it and with the ability to witness every thing that occurs that week and the therapy that previous champions obtain, which is healthier than every other event on the planet, is one thing particular. It is nearly a spiritual expertise each time you step foot on Augusta Nationwide.”

The “Lion of Barrika” was requested about his sport simply earlier than the large occasion: “I believe, particularly these previous couple of weeks, I have been enjoying superb golf and I really feel very snug. Clearly, Augusta is a very totally different stage, as is the Blue Monster, however that is why I like this week. It is wonderful preparation for a serious that is proper across the nook. I hope this week reveals a few of these enhancements and I’m going into the subsequent one with a transparent thoughts.”

As of late, the majors are the one assembly place for all of golf’s stars, however that does not imply they’re extra necessary than earlier than. The three “leaders” of the LIV have been blunt: “It is onerous to see the majors turning into much more necessary. “They’re the head of our sport and, as Phil stated, they outline a profession,” Rahm concluded.’Lefty’, in his factor, even informed a number of anecdotes about his time on the first main of the season. What is going to the course be like subsequent week? Nicely, Phil is totally clear about it. On one event, he went to observe two weeks earlier than the event and one thing sudden occurred: “I used to be on the eleventh tee making ready my tee shot and noticed a tree on the left fall proper in the midst of the golf green. It was an enormous pine and it destroyed the golf green. They began calling folks on walkie-talkies to come back with chainsaws, and after I received to the inexperienced, the tree was already limbless; after I received to the fifteenth tee, the tree was already reduce down and on a truck. After I completed my spherical, I appeared out they usually have been already changing the turf. It is some of the spectacular issues I’ve ever seen. I am certain the course will likely be excellent.”

Of the three attendees on the press convention, Mickelson definitely has a wealth of anecdotes, and his favourite second is the Masters Champions Dinner. “Throughout dessert, the fellows rise up and inform tales,” commented the six-time main winner, who continued: “I keep in mind Palmer. I want that they had recorded them telling some tales, as a result of it is significantly better to listen to it from themselves. Palmer informed me this in the future whereas we have been enjoying, though I do not know if he shared this story at dinner or not. The actual fact is, he actually admired Ben Hogan. He was crucial to him,” the Californian started.

The story continues: “He had the chance to play a observe spherical with him simply earlier than the 1956 Masters. He had simply gained a event on Sunday and drove all night time. He drove about eight hours to get to Augusta to play a observe spherical with Ben Hogan, Dow Finsterwald, and I do not keep in mind who the fourth one was. They went out to play, and Arnold was drained, hadn’t slept, had simply gained, and was emotionally drained. He performed very poorly. After the spherical, whereas they have been having lunch, he received up from the desk to scrub his arms or one thing, and he heard Hogan say, ‘How did that child get into this event?’ That actually bothered him, and he stated, ‘He is by no means referred to as me Arnie, he is by no means referred to as me Palmer, he is all the time referred to as me ‘boy.’ And I by no means appreciated that. He stated it motivated him loads. He was decided to show it to Hogan, and he gained that 12 months.” Phil, who’s already golf historical past, is turning into a very good encyclopedia.