Lefty preps for new season by doing the most Phil thing ever in friendly match

Over the last few years, it would be somewhat of an understatement to suggest Phil Mickelson has had a rough experience from a PR standpoint. 

He's upset quite a few people with his association to the lucrative LIV Golf League. 

His comments about dealings with the Saudis - whom he referred to as 'scary motherf-----s' - forced the golfer into a spell of self-imposed exile. 

The six-time major champion lost quite a few sponsors and, when he returned, he looked a shadow of his former self. 

He had gained weight and his game fell off a cliff. 

It didn't end there, tales of his gambling addiction and personal issues dominated headlines from a slew of tell-all books. 

Remarkably, he was accused by a former associate of trying to place a $400,000 wager on the U.S. side to win the 2012 Ryder Cup. 

These days things are somewhat different for Mickelson. He looks fitter than ever and is more content with life. 

In an interview with LIV's editorial lead Mike McAllister recently, he suggested he now feels fully prepared to put the last two years behind him. 

In late 2023, another Mickelson story caught the headlines. MondayQInfo on X, aka Ryan French, revealed he reached out to Mickelson to ask if he would help his buddy Mark Baldwin prepare for PGA Tour Q-School. 

French, we would suggest, wouldn't have been surprised if Mickelson didn't reply. 

But he did and went the extra mile and then some to help Baldwin prepare. 

Over one weekend, the duo then played a nine-hole match and did some short game work at Mickelson's backyard facility. 

Another savvy PR ploy? Who knows. 

Unfortunately for Baldwin he came up short of getting his PGA Tour card. 

But over the weekend he played Mickelson in another match. He was four down at the turn and fought back. 

Before Mickelson closed the door by showing absolutely no mercy to clinch the match 3&2. 

It was suggested by some fans Mickelson missed the green on purpose to close out the contest in style. 

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