SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Arizona State head women’s golf coach Missy Farr-Kaye played at ASU at the same time as Phil Mickelson. They’ve been good friends ever since. Farr-Kaye is well aware of Mickelson’s exploits at the 103rd PGA Championship in South Carolina and has been sneaking a peek at TVs at the NCAA Championships whenever she can.
“We were just inside Phil’s Grill and he’s on all six TVs, and Tim [Mickelson, Phil’s brother/caddie] who’s also a dear friend, and it’s like this is a little surreal,” Farr-Kaye said after ASU’s second round at Grayhawk. “But we are pulling so hard for Phil, he’s worked so hard.”
ASU is the host team at Grayhawk and Phil’s Grill is a popular 19th hole at the golf club.
“Phil wants to do things differently,” she continued. “He’s over 50. I knew he wasn’t going to stop trying to win on the PGA Tour. He’s not ready yet. He’s in the best shape he’s ever been, probably in better shape than when he was in college.
“Phil is the crazy scientist guy. He’s got a very engineering brain. So it’s fascinating to talk to him because you can’t keep up. When he built our facility [at Papago Golf Course in Phoenix], I really should’ve taped our conversations because he goes off in this area and this area and you can do this and you can do that. … and I’m like ‘Whew.’
“But we just love Phil. He’s just great. We’re pulling hard for him.”
Arizona State’s head football coach Herm Edwards was in attendance for the second round at Grayhawk and said it was fun to see Mickelson atop the leaderboard.
“I’ve met him in a bunch of pro-ams,” Edwards said. “He came to one of our Arizona State games when we were playing at San Diego State (in 2018). He was actually on our sideline. He’s a big fan. He’s a big supporter. I can’t tell you how much he means to the golf community here at Arizona State, what he’s done for that facility. He is a remarkable guy.”
