AUSTIN, Texas — On the surface, it would appear to be pragmatic to suggest that the challenge tossed at him by a trio of kids nearly half his age brought out the best in Phil Mickelson.
The only thing is, it’s open for debate as to whether Mickelson isn’t the youngest of the four players in Group 9.
At least in spirit and enthusiasm, that is.
Having only gotten a peek at Austin Country Club the day before, Mickelson opened his WGC-Dell Match Play with a resounding thumping of 21-year-old Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick, 5 and 4.