Exuberant Mickelson eyes Safeway Open win
NAPA, CALIF.— Phil Mickelson has rarely sounded so excited to start a new PGA Tour season, even with the old season ending just three weeks ago.
Then again, he doesn’t have a lot of experience winning the Ryder Cup.
Still gushing over the U.S. victory two weeks ago at Hazeltine, Mickelson gets one last chance to win something for himself at the Safeway Open. It’s the first event in the 201617 season. It’s also the last event of the year for the 46-year-old Mickelson.
“I’m still on an emotional high, and even though I’ve been running around this last week, my energy level is up and I’m optimistic about having a good week,” Mickelson said. “I love the golf course and the feel. It’s in California and I’m excited to play.”
The excitement was tempered ear- lier in the week when Tiger Woods withdrew.
Woods had said a month ago he planned to play at Silverado and officially entered the tournament on Friday. The tour decided to put Woods and Mickelson in the same group, along with defending champion Emiliano Grillo, for the opening two rounds.
And then Woods said his game was “vulnerable” and not where it needed to be for him to return to the PGA Tour for the first time in 14 months. Mickelson and Woods had not played together since the opening round of the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla. Woods was replaced in the group by Bill Haas.
Mickelson said he has texted Woods a few times, though he understands the decision.
“We all want Tiger to come back, but we want him to come back when he’s ready,” Mickelson said. “If he doesn’t feel like he’s ready, then he should wait.”
Mickelson is among only four of the top 25 in the world ranking at Silverado, joining Paul Casey, Matt Kuchar and Grillo. The star power Wednesday came in the pro-am, where Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry played with Harold Varner III, who was also raised in North Carolina. Curry was supposed to play with Woods.
“I wouldn’t call it disappointment because obviously that’s a huge opportunity just to begin with,” Curry said.
“We’ll be happy to have him back whenever that time is. It’s unfortunate that he’s not here, but I’ll be watching whatever tournament he does come back (to).”