If you believe Phil Mickelson preps for the 2018 Ryder Cup by knocking balls around the golf course you'd be wrong. But he was at the range.
Mickelson is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and winner of 43 PGA Tour events, five major tournament championships and more than $87 million in earnings. His five major titles include three Masters championships along with wins in the PGA Championship and The Open. He has played 45 matches in 12 previous Ryder Cup tournaments,.
So yeah, it wouldn't be a stretch to think he'd be on the course near his home in San Diego practicing for the Ryder Cup in Paris. That international shindig is Sept. 28-30 at the Albatros Course of Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. Surely Mickelson would be working on specific shots, tooling around in his cart, slinging Callaway clubs here and there into the bright southern California sunshine, making some wagers on this or that.
He was at the range, of course, but one we're more familiar with. We couldn't hear Mickelson's custom 6.5 Creedmoor ring the gong at the distance he cited, but he surely could with his Walker's electronic muffs. Closeups of his rifle reveal a bolt-action with a stippled, camo stock; not sure on the scope. Looks like fun, of course.
Mickelson cited his long-distance rifle shooting as fun prep for Paris, but didn't mention the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. He's among the 30 pros in the field who made it through the FedEx Cup playoffs after the regular PGA Tour season ended. Perhaps Mickelson's relaxed enough about Atlanta and East Lake to not need to ring the gong with his Creedmoor.
He's not the only linksman to enjoy long-range shooting, either. Former pro and now announcer-bon vivant David Feherty enjoys the challenge, as does current Jimmy Walker of Texas, a 6-time PGA Tour winner and PGA Championship winner.
Mickelson was on the range. Just a different kind of range, our favorite range. The gun range! He posted a shot on Twitter. Take a look:
How is today’s long range sniper shooting preparing me for the Ryder Cup?
Meditation, controlling my thoughts, breathing, heart rate and connecting with the target are critical for both! pic.twitter.com/x5T817hVMF— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) September 12, 2018
