Phil Mickelson

Pair of Arizona Golfers
In Contention at International

By Joe E. Cervi, Rockiesgolf.com columnist

Everyone in the golf-watching world knew Mickelson's caddie had a pager, that, if beeped, would pull his pro right off the golf course.

Major-smajor. The U.S. Open be damned.

Mickelson had it timed so that he could fly from Pinehurst to Arizona in five hours to be with his expectant wife, Amy, who was due at any moment.

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Amy didn't deliver during the Open, and Mickelson finished runnerup to Payne Stewart. He might have finished second, but he was first in the hearts of expectant wives throughout the country.

The Mickelsons gave birth to Amanda Brynn June 30 and all are doing well.

Fatherhood apparently agrees with the southpaw from San Diego.

"I feel like I'm the luckiest guy there is," Mickelson said. "And it's not because I'm playing golf for a living. I have a wonderful wife and a wonderful child. My family is the most important thing to me. That's where I feel wealthy."

Mickelson, a two-time winner of the International, is once again in contention. The 29-year-old resident of Scottsdale, Ariz., has 19 points in the modified Stableford scoring system and has tournament leaders well within his sights.

"I think being in the position I'm in now, the early tee time will give me nine holes of fresh greens," said

Mickelson, who plays out of Grayhawk Golf Club. "It will be a good chance to catch the leaders. "I feel like every hole is birdiable, I just need to go out there, be patient and let it happen."

That is much easier done on the golf course than in labor and delivery.

"If we don't hold her, she gets fussy," Mickelson said of his newborn daughter. "But if we take her places she sleeps right through. Whether it's the movies, a Rockies game, dinner with friends, she sleeps right through. We haven't really had to change our lifestyle at all."

Except at night.

"For the first five or six weeks, she didn't sleep at all at night," he said.

Mickelson didn't play well Friday, mustering just four points. But his 15-point first round has him in contention.

Mayfair Makes His Charge

	Billy Mayfair

Another Arizona golfer, Billy Mayfair, is, too, in contention.

The former standout at Arizona State University, is at plus-23 points.

"I really played well today and got off to a good start," Mayfair said. "I birdied 17 and 18 this morning (finishing up Thursday's round) and then jump-started my second round with birdies on 16 and 18 and an eagle on 17."

Mayfair, who plays out of Troon North Golf Club, said he won't change his approach for the weekend.

"I've just got to keep doing what I've been doing the last two days," Mayfair said. "Just try to make as many birdies as possible and keep progressing each day."