Big Play with Michael Breed
WHO: Phil Mickelson
WHAT: A 235-yard five-iron between trees from a sandy waste area
WHERE: Par-5 13th, TPC of Scottsdale
WHEN: Final round of the FBR Open
WHY
Mickelson's four-shot lead was in jeopardy after he pulled his drive, but he threaded a remarkable recovery through the trees. He capitalized on the shot by sticking an L-wedge to three feet and making birdie. On the back nine Mickelson had only 10 putts as he got up and down with the wedge five times.
MICHAEL'S TIP
Hit the Front Ball For Solid Contact
Clutch chipping is how you make a good scramble pay off. To get the ball airborne, don't scoop, but hit down for solid contact. Try this drill: Put two balls five inches apart. At address, align the club behind the rear ball, but on the downswing hit the forward ball. You'll need a steep angle of attack and must keep the handle ahead of the clubhead to do so.
Michael Breed teaches at Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, N.Y., and is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher.
... AND ANOTHER THING
"Even though he is the Number 1--ranked player in the world, the public will never warm to Vijay Singh. The fans want Tiger or Phil in the top spot."
FIRST AND 17
Jacksonville, home to the PGA Tour and the TPC at Sawgrass, last week hosted the golfiest Super Bowl ever. The Eagles stayed at the Sawgrass Marriott, a stone's throw from the Stadium course, and the Patriots holed up at the World Golf Village, where even the World Golf Hall of Fame had a football display. Sawgrass's famed island-green 17th, "the most recognizable hole in golf," saw plenty of action too.
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DAY | EVENT | HIGHLIGHT | LOWLIGHT |
TUE | NFL Media Party | John Daly joining Hootie and the Blowfish for Knocking on Heaven's Door | Of 1,650 balls hit, only 101 landed on the green |
FRI | NFL Alumni Super Bowl of Golf | Lions QB and Paddy's cousin Joey Harrington won | The weather: 50° with gusty 20-mph winds |
SAT | FOX Outing | FOX tipped the head pro two Super Bowl tickets | Jimmy Johnson didn't play, so no one got to see his hair do battle with the wind |
SUN | NFL--PGA Tour Commissioners Cup | Schwag bag included an r7 Quad driver | Watching CEOs swing |
SUN | Super Bowl Shootout | Stars from three sports swinging at 17 | Marlins lefty Al Leiter slicing one over the cart path to the left |
PRO MOVES
TOMMY ARMOUR III on ... SHOES
DO Wear all black or black-and-white saddle shoes with black pants.
DON'T Wear all-white shoes with black pants.
TOP 100
TEACHERS POLL
Does Phil Mickelson have enough game to become No. 1 in the World Ranking?
Yes 69%
No 31%
"Game, yes. The question is desire and work ethic. "
--BY PETER KOSTIS
COLOR PHOTO
COURTESY OF CBS (MICKELSON)
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RICK W. RASCO (BREED, 3)
TWO COLOR PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS
ERICK W. RASCO (BREED, 3); TODD BIGELOW/AURORA (BACKGROUND)
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FRED VUICH (SAWGRASS)
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ROBERT BECK (ARMOUR)
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CRAIG BLANKENHORN/CBS (KOSTIS)