Phil Mickelson joined Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo in the CBS booth after completing his third round in the PGA Championship on Saturday, and CBS said that it "spoke to Mickelson earlier in the week about joining the broadcast if the timing worked out," according to Jimmy Golen of the AP. Mickelson "spent about an hour on the broadcast before taking his leave," and he added a "players’ perspective that even Faldo ... couldn’t." He also "shared some insight on what it has been like playing events without fans." A "notorious gambler, Mickelson’s analysis went awry when he started making predictions" (AP, 8/9). GOLF DIGEST's Christopher Powers wrote Mickelson will "make a great color guy," for "we know how loquacious he can be." His appearance "looked like it might be a trainwreck at first," as things "could not have gotten off to a more awkward start" after Faldo did not understand one of Mickelson's jokes. But in "typical Phil fashion, he won everybody back over rather quickly." Viewers "can thank Nantz for that," as he asked Mickelson to "break down TPC Harding Park, and Mickelson didn’t disappoint." Powers: "Let’s just say Nick Faldo is probably feeling a little nervous right now. It didn’t help Faldo that Phil refused to leave the booth. He was almost too comfortable" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 8/8). GOLFWEEK's Todd Kelly wrote, "Fair to say, Lefty was killing it during his extended appearance. His analysis of the course and players was spot on" (GOLFWEEK.com, 8/8).
TWITTER REAX: Golf writer Geoff Shackelford: "The insights and engagement has been tremendous because he’s playing this week. Not so sure Phil would do the extra prep work needed when he’s not teeing it up." Golf Digest's Brian Wacker: "If Phil isn't permanently in the booth someday what are we even doing here?" Fox Sports' Shane Bacon: "Duct tape Phil Mickelson to that chair and don't let him leave until 8:30 pm on Sunday." ESPN's Mike Greenberg: "Mickelson is as good talking about golf as anyone is talking about anything" (TWITTER.com, 8/8).
PHIL'S GREATEST HITS: A jovial Mickelson teased Faldo by comparing him to Bryson DeChambeau: “When you look at Bryson, you’re like, ‘Wow. That man hits bombs.’ You just know he hits bombs, and he does. But then I thought the same thing when I first saw you, Nick. You’re big, strong and that was like the furthest thing that happened.”
To start the broadcast, Mickelson quipped, "There’s three things I do well: play golf and talk golf." Faldo responded, "What's the third thing?" Mickelson smirked and did not say anything, to which Nantz responded, "He's setting you up. Leave that to your imagination, dear boy."
After Tommy Fleetwood hit an errant tee shot into the rough, Mickelson hinted he knows that poor territory well, saying, “I feel like I’m more inclined to comment on that shot.”
Mickelson tended to stay positive when commenting on his peers. On Rory McIlroy: “He’s playing well enough to win the big tournaments. He’s just making too many mistakes this week that he doesn’t normally do, but his game tee-to-green just looks amazing.”
On Dustin Johnson: “Good in all areas. ...very underrated as a putter.”
On defending champion Brooks Koepka: “I like how he rolls” (“2020 PGA Championship,” CBS, 8/8).
