Phil: "This course just doesn’t reward you for taking any risk."
/Brian Wacker on today's edition of "Why Phil Mickelson Can't Stand Rees Jones Architecture."
Just like that shot, Mickelson’s approach has worked. He shot a 68 Saturday to tie for low round of the day and to earn a share of the lead at 12 under with Bill Haas.
“I’m not taking on the risk,” Mickelson continued. “I’m just playing it much more conservative, because the reward isn’t there. This course doesn’t reward you for taking on any challenge.”
“I love playing aggressive. I think people want to see birdies and they want to see bogeys. They want to see us attacking holes trying to get it close. And this course just doesn’t reward you for taking any risk. In fact, it penalizes you, because the penalty for coming up short is usually one or two shots as opposed to the one shot you’re trying to gain.”
Sadly, the cynical, old-style USGA approach to golf types will probably consider these comments complimentary, but anyone who likes strategic design knows that Phil's comments could not have insulted the design any better.
He enters Sunday's final day tied with Bill Haas for the lead. Several intriguing names are close behind.