Phil Mickelson returns to Greenbrier Classic with changed plans
Phil Mickelson is set to return to action at the site of his only missed cut in 2011, the Greenbrier Classic, when he will tee off at Old White TPC in White Sulphur Springs on Thursday, July 5, 2012.
Last year, Mickelson reached the venue accompanied by his family and spent plenty of time at the Greenbrier Resort enjoying whitewater rafting, horseback riding, archery and many other recreational activities.
As a result, he failed to put his maximum on the course and missed the cut after carding rounds of 70 and 73.
This year, he has returned with different plans. He now eyes a better position on the leaderboard by focusing on his game rather than off-course activities.
"Right now, it's just practice. … I'm going to have to let everything else take a back seat," Mickelson said on Wednesday, after playing in the Fourth of July Pro-Am.
"We had a great time last year doing the white water rafting and doing the falconry (with birds of prey), doing laser tag and going to the pool and just hanging out. But I want to make sure (of) my game this week because I don't feel good about how I played
last year, and I want to improve on that".
He is now scheduled to play along the 2010 and 2011 champions, Stuart Appleby and Scott Stallings, respectively, in the opening two rounds this year.
After the announcement for the groups, Mickelson told that he usually does not like to watch his playing partners during the rounds.
However, this tournament may be different for him, as both his partners are the past winners of the tournament.
While talking about the course conditions, he expressed his pleasure for having such a clean environment at the venue.
According to him, he was not expecting the course to be in perfect shape, especially after the storm hit the area last week.
During Wednesday’s Pro-Am, he was grouped with Virginia Tech football Coach Frank Beamer and Kentucky Governor Steven Beshear.
For him, it was interesting to talk football and politics with his playing partners at a golf event.
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