Mickelson pleased by progress on grooves, ready to play again

text size

Franklin/Getty Images

For the past three years, Phil Mickelson has won in his fourth start of the year. This event is his fourth in 2010.

SCOTTSDALE -- Three weeks ago, Phil Mickelson was at the forefront of the debate over the loophole that existed in the USGA's new grooves rule allowing players to use PING Eye2 wedges made prior to 1990.

Those wedges have square, or U-shaped, grooves that are legal under the new rule that mandates a return to V-grooves. The Eye2s were grandfathered into the decision due to a 1990 settlement between PING and the USGA and a similar 1993 agreement with the PGA TOUR.

Mickelson was among several players who used the wedge at the Farmers Insurance Open. He took the club out of his bag the following week at the Northern Trust Open but said he might use the wedge again if the two organizations didn't iron things out.

The point was made, though. And Mickelson said Wednesday prior to the Waste Management Phoenix Open that he thinks the USGA and PING are "making progress" and he's "sure it'll get done."

Mickelson seemed very pleased with the wedges he's currently using that he said were "every bit as good" as his wedges from the 1980s. He's switched his lofts a little and now has a 62-, 57- and 52-degree wedge in his bag.

"I've got three wedges from Callaway now that are spinning as much or more than the wedges I used, so I'm very pleased with the clubs I have," Mickelson said.

And if history is any indication, expect Mickelson to play well this week at TPC Scottsdale. Not only is the former Arizona State golfer a two-time champion here, he's also won his first tournament of the year in his fourth start each of the last three seasons.

And guess what number this is?

"I guess I'm a little bit of a slow starter and kind of like to work into the season," Mickelson said with a smile. "... This is a special week for me. I really enjoy playing here in Phoenix. I lived here for so many years and have played these golf courses for so many years that the people here just make it a special event.

"I'd love to be in the last group coming down the stretch on Sunday."

Mickelson took last week off for a family vacation but said he was able to squeeze in some work on his putting with Dave Stockton Jr. He also talked with short-game guru Dave Pelz about his putting drills.

"I'm optimistic that this is going to be a good week," Mickelson said. "I've been striking the ball very well, and the last piece is just getting the ball to roll better, and it feels like it's there. I think that this week I should be able to put it together."

Mickelson said he was disappointed to miss last week's World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship but the time was right for a family vacation. He said his wife and mother are doing well in their respective battles with breast cancer, but he plans to be in Houston for "some procedures" next week.

"It was really the only time we could go on a family trip, so we did," said Mickelson, who defends his title at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship at Doral in two weeks.

"We had a great time. I've been able to practice the last few days and get my game ready for this week and see if I can get my scores a little bit lower than they have been the first few weeks."