Phil Mickelson has become a mentor for many aspiring young PGA Tour pros, including last week’s winner Keegan Bradley. In fact, it was just a week earlier that Bradley, and fellow rookie Brendan Steele, landed a spot for the first time in Lefty’s weekly money game on Wednesday at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
According to one source, Bradley and Steele teamed against Mickelson and Jeff Overton and the rookies, who were scheduled to participate in an afternoon news conference, were treated to a quintessential welcoming from Lefty.
“I know you guys have the press conference this afternoon so we plan to close you out 4 and 3,” Mickelson said according to the source who was at Firestone.
The rookies didn’t go quietly, however. Bradley and Steele were 1 up after Steele birdied the 16th hole, but Overton scrambled for an unlikely birdie at the last hole after missing the fairway with his drive and the match ended in a tie.
Although it was a tough loss, Bradley’s consolation prize was waiting a week later at Atlanta Athletic Club.