For the second consecutive year, the PGA Championship’s Tuesday practice rounds featured a long drive competition for players who wished to participate. Youngsters like Spieth and Thomas, who still is seeking his first win, are comfortable enough to dish it out to an established veteran like Mickelson and not be ostracized. We’ll see if we can get somebody to carry it around for the round. He would have been fine if he was right handed, but no, the universe dealt him an awkward one this time around.

Spieth won the U.S. Open in June, while Mickelson is a six-time runner-up at Chambers Bay. The US Open is the only major Mickelson hasn’t won. “I haven’t been a pick in 20 years; I don’t want to be a pick now”, he said on Saturday at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

In a video clip posted on Twitter by Golf Channel, Mickelson said “I left mine in the locker room here”.

Spieth and Thomas shot 12-under par in the two-man scramble, with Mickelson and Fowler at 11-under.

Spieth is already learning how to fend off Lefty’s chirps. But the two definitely exchanged words here with Mickelson getting in the last shot.

Spieth and Thomas won Tuesday’s match, but just barely. “If you give it back to him, that’s when he knows it is bothering you”.

At another point in the round, Mickelson also chided Rory McIlroy, the top player in the world, as he descended some stairs, cautioning him to be careful and not hurt his ankle. “If you ask me the same question next year I may be a little more concerned”, he said.

Spieth, Mickeson and friends played the highest profile practice round match of the week and it did not disappoint.

The score still was 2-up when Mickelson made a 15-foot birdie on No. 17, drawing his team within one entering the last hole.

“Kept Phil quiet most of the day, which is kind of cool”, Spieth said with a smile.

“What I’ve noticed with the young guys now is they’re tougher under pressure,” Mickelson said. He’s 42 now, moved to Florida to try to improve his game and hasn’t gotten the boost he was hoping for. When the round was finished, Mickelson put on his mentor face. “They treat people well”. They represent the game well, as well as having incredible games.

McIlroy and Spieth, ranked Nos.