In this week’s version of Golfer-to-Golfer, we hear from Phil Mickelson on the advice he received from Seve Ballesteros as an amateur.
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Welcome to Golfer-to-Golfer, the place we attempt to be taught from all totally different sorts of avid gamers on the market, in hopes that the remainder of us can take away one thing that may enhance our personal video games.
Phil Mickelson is the best short-game participant of the trendy era. Countless instances over the course of his storied profession, we’ve seen Mickelson discover himself in a seemingly inconceivable spot, solely to make use of contact and creativity to flee. Even when it looks like he’s bought no shot, Lefty finds a option to escape hazard.
Before there was Phil Mickelson, although, there was Seve Ballesteros. Throughout his profession within the 70s, 80s and 90s, Ballesteros additionally discovered himself in numerous inconceivable spots. And, like Lefty, he at all times appeared to discover a means out of them.
Mickelson and Ballesteros sharing a enjoying model isn’t any accident. As a child in southern California, Mickelson appeared as much as the five-time main champ for inspiration in his personal sport, and he got here to emulate his hero as he improved.
“Seve was the guy I wanted to play a practice round with the most,” Mickelson said after Ballesteros’ passing. “He’s certainly had an impact on the game.”
Once Mickelson reached the professional ranks within the early 90s, that observe spherical got here to fruition. And within the years to return, Lefty and Ballesteros grew to become pals, practising collectively throughout the globe.
The first time Mickelson met Ballesteros, at Valderrama, host of this week’s LIV Golf occasion, the Spaniard took Mickelson underneath his wing, displaying the younger professional the ins and outs of observe rounds throughout their time collectively.
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“It was little things like ‘Come over here, hit this shot,’ and he would hit a little flop shot out of the rough,” Mickelson mentioned. “It would be playing a practice round and have him hitting a shot to a back right pin when the pin on the practice day is front center, and he’s talking about getting ready to play, compete and work on the shots he’s had to play in the competition. That was for a 17 year old a little eye opening.”
For the uber-competitive Mickelson, this was a bit totally different than his typical prep work. Lefty’s MO has at all times been to win in any respect prices — even when it was in a Tuesday observe spherical. But, as Ballesteros taught him, the prep work you do early within the week could be the distinction between successful and dropping come the weekend.
“I’m out there trying to shoot a number and score on a Tuesday practice round,” Mickelson mentioned. “Which made no sense.”
That’s to not say that Ballesteros and Mickelson by no means bought to be aggressive with each other. Ballesteros was additionally a fierce competitor, and he’d drag Mickelson into all types of competitions the place every may exhibit their short-game prowess.
“Then we both were with Hugo Boss and do photo shoots together and in between breaks we would have little bunker competitions, chipping competitions,” Mickelson mentioned. “And the time that I spent with him really meant a lot to me.”
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