It appears that Phil Mickelson was in no mood to lose in a match with Grant Horvat for a second time, having been beaten by the YouTube golfer earlier in the year.
Phil Mickelson paid the price for giving Grant Horvat five shots when the pair faced off at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club for the first time. The two would agree that the six-time major champion would have to wear joggers at The Open Championship if he lost.
Mickelson would lose, and he would wear the joggers on all four days at Royal Troon.
So perhaps it is not a surprise that the pair have taken part in a rematch at the same course – Mickelson’s home course in San Diego. And it turned out that the LIV Golf star was planning to leave no stone unturned as he sought revenge.
What Phil Mickelson did in preparation for rematch with Grant Horvat
Speaking early on in the first video, Horvat’s manager Josh explained how Mickelson had looked to give himself an even greater advantage ahead of the matchup.
“So what Grant doesn’t know is Phil texted us last night, he was out here at 5 o’clock right before sunset and he was actually picking the pin locations. He texted us and was like, ‘just got done setting the pin locations, Grant doesn’t stand a chance’. So it’s going to be really interesting to see where he places these, and obviously, he probably put them in places where – and this is his home course – so where he knows the breaks. He’s taken it way more serious,” he said.
Mickelson first to pay the price for brutal pin placements
Unfortunately, it would prove to be Mickelson who was penalised first by the brutal pin placements. The 54-year-old had a long chance for birdie on the opening hole as he looked to eat into the five shot advantage Horvat once again started with.
However, Mickelson was a fraction too firm with his putt, and the ball incredibly rolled off the green altogether. In fact, it found its way down to the bottom of the hill. Mickelson would ultimately walk off with a double bogey.
It may have almost evoked memories of when Mickelson received a two-shot penalty at the 2018 US Open when he decided to hit another putt before his ball had come to rest.
It was certainly a reminder that golf is capable of making the very best look quite foolish at times.
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