Phil Mickelson turns grump man at WGC Match Play Championship

MARANA, Ariz. - You’d think that Phil Mickelson would be in a good mood after winning at Riviera and cementing his title as Mr. Pacific Time Zone. You’d think he’d be happy that there’s no Pro Am to think up a blow-off excuse for at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship with its Wednesday start.

You’d be wrong.

A Mickelson you could hardly recognized showed up at The Gallery Golf Club just outside of Tucson today - a grumpy one.

First, Mickelson canceled a scheduled interview visit to the media center. He even refused to talk to reporters on the side and the last time anyone can remember that happening … well, few can remember it ever happening.

Then, Pacific Time Phil took his toys and went home.

Or almost. He went to the back range at The Gallery where his waiting fans couldn’t see him hit balls. Another out of character move for the guy who picked a dad and a son out of the gallery at the FBR Open and handed them Super Bowl tickets. Just because he could.

The new hermit Phil didn’t go over well in Arizona, usually Mickelson land through and through, either.

“I don’t know why he has to be out there all by himself,” one fan remarked. “If that’s how Phil wants to be, we don’t need him. Tiger came out here (to the front range where stands are) two different times today. I never thought I’d see the day.”

Maybe more damaging to Mickelson’s chances in the tournament, the No. 1 seed in the Gary Player bracket - didn’t play a single practice round at The Gallery. In contrast, Tiger Woods spent more than five hours on the course both Monday and Tuesday as he continued his unspoken undefeated season quest. Now, granted, Tiger didn’t play at all last week and certainly wasn’t coming off an emotional final round on Sunday like Mickelson.

Still, it will be interesting to see how this suddenly, momentarily reclusive Mickelson plays.