“World-class golf” - Phil Mickelson says he is ‘really proud’ to return to Arizona with LIV Golf

Arizona State has played a major part in Phil Mickelson’s life. The golfer played college golf here and met his wife while in college. Now, the golfer is returning to the state with LIV Golf and he is “really proud” about it. The 52-year-old golfer says he is returning with “world-class golf.”

Mickelson, who has claimed seven of his 57 career wins have come in Arizona, will be eyeing yet another good outing this week. Speaking ahead of LIV Golf Tucson, the former PGA Tour champion said that he really enjoys the state of Arizona.

The HyFlyers GC skipper said that The Gallery Golf Club was an optimal addition to the 2023 LIV Golf League schedule. He said that he was happy bringing the “best players in the world” to the venue.

Speaking about LIV Golf Tucson in Arizona, Phil Mickelson said on Wednesday, as quoted by LIV Golf:

“I would like to say that I had a direct impact on it. It really wasn't… We've tried to nail down some markets that have always wanted and supported professional golf, and Tucson has supported professional golf, and then it got taken away."

He added:

"World-class golf, like the best players in the world, the Dustin Johnsons and the Cam Smiths and Brysons and Brooks and so forth – to bring that back to Tucson, I'm really proud to be a part of that, even though it wasn't me just saying, we've got to do this. It was looking at it in general and saying this is really a good spot for us to be.”

It is pertinent to note that Tucson could be a good venue for Mickelson’s first LIV Golf win. Having moved to the Saudi-backed series last year, the golfer has struggled to make a place for himself on the leaderboard. Now, the golfer can relive his seven wins in the state and take his first in the rebel series.

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Phil Mickelson’s impressive win in Tucson

Phil Mickelson’s most impressive of those seven wins came in Tucson in 1991. A junior college player back then, the golfer beat seniors Tom Purtzer and Bob Tway to take the win. It was probably one moment that created newer opportunities for a then-teenage Mickelson.

Recalling the game, Mickelson said:

“I think the thing that I recall or I like to look back on was that I actually made a triple-bogey on the 14th hole of the final round and overcame that with the birdies on 16 and 18 coming down the stretch."

He added:

"Because you're not going to play perfect golf all the time, and sometimes having to overcome some obstacles and having that be an obstacle to overcome in my first win, it was a big obstacle. It was a big challenge. I look back at that as a reminder to never give up and keep fighting, you just never know what's going to happen.”

Given his connection with the state, it’s safe to say that Phil Mickelson will a fan favorite this week. The 52-year-old will tee off in Friday’s shotgun start on the No. 1 tee alongside Cameron Smith and Charles Howell III.