The man behind Monday Q Info, an account that has hit chords with golf fans, Ryan French says Phil Mickelson “has been amazingly kind to me and a great friend.” And case in point, we all saw Mickelson’s kindness back in 2023 when, on French’s urge, he helped his rookie friend with his games. Back then, French made a tweet and asked the six-time major champion to help Mark Baldwin with the second round of Q-school. What happened next?
Three hours later, French received a text from Mickelson who had sent Baldwin an invitation to play golf with him. Then, on a nearby golf course, they played a nine-hole match before hitting some practice shots in Mickelson’s backyard. This seemed to charm the fans, and both French and Baldwin were equally happy. Skip to 2025, and French shares a unique “mindf*ck” experience with Mickelson. Let’s hear it from him.
Ryan French recently sat down for an interview for Golf’s Subpar with Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. French shares a playing experience with Phil Mickelson. “One time, I got to play 36 holes in the pouring a** rain with one of the greatest golfers of our lifetime.” Would he have played in the rain if it were just his friends? French gives a blunt no. He continues: “Phil’s great. And when people ask me… about four or five holes in, and you are playing with Phil Mickelson and he gives you sh*t, like, you’re playing with your boys, so you kind of forget that you’re playing with Phil.” So, what was really going on?
French had helped Baldwin with that little tweet, however, he himself was going through a rut. French shared he hated shooting 85 every time on the course, add to that his dreaded yips, and things just get worse for him. He tried chipping in front of Mickelson, but it ended terribly. He felt embarrassed, however, Mickelson wasn’t having it.
After the first stage of Q-school I sent @PhilMickelson a DM, asking him to help @markbaldwin1 get ready for 2nd stage.
I didn’t tell Mark because I never thought phil would respond . Instead, 3 hours later Phil said yes.
And this weekend Mark has had “the coolest experience
— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) November 12, 2023
“Phil Mickelson logoed ball in Phil Mickelson’s backyard. I didn’t have a rainsuit, so Phil gave me his rain suit. And Phil Mickelson was giving me lessons. That was a mindf*ck.” Mickelson helped French focus on technique and the “mental side of golf.” And his mantra that French carries even now? “It’s all speed down to your pocket.” Honestly, if we ever had a similar experience with Phil Mickelson, we’d probably have the same reaction. However, there’s a reason why even French agrees Mickelson’s “place in pro golf is obviously complicated.” And so, let’s take a look at why French said, “anytime you put Phil in a positive light, there’s 50% that are like ‘Phil is the greatest.’ And 50% are like ‘I hope you run your car into a tree.” The answer? It’s Phil Mickelson himself.
Phil Mickelson does not seem to charm anyone other than a few people
Phil Mickelson’s first victim is the World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. See, we are all aware of Scheffler’s staggering performance this season. Even Scheffler himself is! Despite his season-best coming with the Genesis Invitational (T3), fans are hopeful that they’d get to see him win at a major event. Phil Mickelson, however, is sure that’s not going to happen. Recently, the star golfer took to X to share his prediction for Scheffler. He said: “Here’s a hot take Does Scottie win in 2025 before the Ryder Cup? I don’t think so.” Ouch! Certainly, not a fan-favorite moment. But he has more things to say–and he did by saying Joaquin Niemann should be No.1 instead of Scottie Scheffler!
Before that, Mickelson made a comment that fans took as an attack on the nation’s pride. How? Early this month, Mickelson said that personally, he feels winning a LIV Golf team event would mean more to him than winning a Ryder Cup for Team USA.
“I would love nothing more—one of my goals is to win a LIV event. The experience of sharing that with teammates, we have not yet won as a team. I’ve not ever won as a team in professional golf outside of the Ryder Cup, and even that was very few times. I think that would probably mean a little more, which is very unusual to say in a game that is such an individual sport, but that would be special for us.”
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with wanting his team to win. But comparing with the Ryder Cup was where fans drew the line. Ryder Cup is a golf competition between the USA and Europe. It is considered an honor, even by Sergio Garica who wants to make it to this year’s team. Mickelson feels differently, however. Looking at this, undoubtedly, Phil Mickelson is a polarizing figure. Have you ever met Mickelson? What experience did you have with him?
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