"I don't remember fist-pumping on Tuesday very often."

Doug Ferguson files an unusually long but well-worth-it look at Phil Mickelson's urge for players to play more practice round money games with match play events in mind. Fergie'd win a GWAA award for this one if just one of the players involved had a minor disease.

Just one of many prime anecdotes from the story:

The amount of money is not outrageous, certainly not like it was a few generations ago, when some players made more during practice rounds than in the actual tournament. It's not even close to what gets wagered at some country clubs.

"I want it be enough where you feel it, but it's not going to affect you," Mickelson said.
For Mickelson, equal enjoyment comes from the banter.

The needling starts on the first hole, and the other players are not afraid to give it back. There have been a few quiet days, like the round with Woods in 1998 before the L.A. Open. They were at Valencia on a windy day when they came to a par 3 late in the match. Mickelson had a 7-iron in his hand and said to caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay that he felt some wind in his face.

"I said to Bones, 'Gosh, I think I've got to really step on this 5 to get it there,'" Mickelson said. "So he hit 6-iron, jumped it and flew 30 yards over the green. We were playing stroke play and I ended up flipping him on all these presses."

Mickelson said he took the $100 bills from Woods and made a photocopy of them. He then made smiley faces on the copy and wrote, "Just wanted you to know Benji and his friends are very happy in their new home."

"I left it in his locker," Mickelson said. "That was the last time we played."