All eyes are on Phil Mickelson this week, and not just the FBI. The North American left-handed, winner of 5 Majors in his career, is on the field in Memphis for the FedEx St. Jude Classic, a PGA tournament that is giving away 5,8 million dollars (1,044 million for the first), 42 points from the World Renking and 500 points for the Fedex circuit. In short, an important and above all preparatory appointment for the US Open next week, the second Major of the season.
Lefty, with number 11, is the highest player in the world order of merit, but he is also the most famous, the most loved by the public and, right now, the most investigated among the professionals on the US tour. In fact, last week, during the Memorial, Mickelson was reached by FBI agents for an inside trading case in which he is allegedly involved.
A bad blow to the image of Phil, who is the good boy next door, the sociable champion, available with fans, always ready to "high five", even if notoriously a bit reluctant to pay taxes. However, his sponsors, from Callaway, to KPMG, to Barclays for now confirm their trust in the 44-year-old from San Diego, who intends to repay them by winning the only Major still missing from his collection, the Us Open.
This week's race looks above all like a dress rehearsal, but it shouldn't be underestimated, given that Phil, in 2013 finished second behind Harris English and the following week repeated the same performance behind Justin Rose, missing yet another opportunity to lead home a new Grand Slam trophy.
Together with Phil, to sharpen their weapons, the reigning champion English also took to the track today, as well as thirteen players from the top thirty of Fedex including Dustin Johnson (4), Patrick Reed (7) and Kevin Na (10); seven of the top thirty in World Golf including Graeme McDowell (22), Ian Poulter (24), Patrick Reed (26), Lee Westwood (29).
The course is a par 70 of 6500 metres, a respectable gym in view of Pinehurst; the filed is composed of 156 players.
Many other champions instead rest: from Adam Scott to Rory McIlroy, from Bubba Watson to Henrik Stenson. Holiday weekend also for the Italians Francesco Molinari and Andrea Pavan, who we will meet again at the Us Open. While Matteo Manassero, who unfortunately didn't qualify for the Major, will be back on the green at the Irish Open from 19th to 23rd June.
In the meantime, the world rankings are moving a bit: Tiger Woods, still recovering, slips further and goes to fourth place; while Bubba Watson rises to third place, fresh from a narrow victory at the Memorial, where he finished third behind the Japanese Hideki Matsuyama and his compatriot Kevin Na.
The position of number one Adam Scott consolidates who, after a victory, achieved a fourth place in the Jack Nicklaus tournament.
On the European front this week we move to Austria, for the Lyoness Open, where Miguel Angel Jimenez is the best player on the pitch, based on the world rankings. Nordea was surprisingly won by Thongchai Jaidee last weekend. The spotlights of Sky Sport from today to Sunday are focused on the US circuit: the FedEx Classic is broadcast live, starting at 21pm.
