I spoke too soon and thoughts on Phil Mickelson.

Well, I stand corrected. Last week I offered my two cents on the hype surrounding Bryson Dechambeau’s game. In a nutshell, I explained that a “scientific” golf swing doesn’t automatically yield great results on the golf course, and in Dechambeau’s case, W’s. What did he do the following week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic? That’s right he, stormed to a commanding victory with one giant drive off the tee after another. What really got my attention, however, is Dechambeaus’ competitiveness. The guy HATES to hit a bad shot at any time, and really believes in himself and his methods. I predict more than a few majors out of him before his career for sure – really going out on a limb with that prediction I know.

In a similar vein to Dechambeau, Phil Mickelson has raised some eyebrows with his increased length off the tee. Phil’s self described “bombs” are even more amazing considering the fact that he celebrated is 50th birthday last month. No one can deny the fact that Mickelson is as close to a golfing genius as there gets, and he is literally a living legend out on tour still playing with the young bucks – and contending (often). “Phil the Thrill” is well known for his daring, no laying up style on the course, and he often lives or dies by the driver. He has lost many a major championship on Sunday by hitting a drive off the reservation at a critical moment.

And now, hitting 50, Phil seems to be preoccupied with hitting the long ball and really focusing on his distance. There’s no doubt that with that distance comes longevity on the PGA tour. Don’t even ask him about his plans for the Champions Tour. My concern is that as Phil gets even older, he will put the fundamentals of what makes him so great, his short game, on the back burner. It will be easy for him to take that aspect of his game for granted. And as he gets older it will become even more critical for his short game to be at it’s sharpest. If he keeps up this fixation with distance, I foresee some great rounds but I also see him pushing a little too hard and hitting those wayward drives again. Particularly under pressure. If I were him I would spend extra time on that short game again.