Phil Mickelson gets “Rowdy” with the Crowd in Phoenix

Phil Mickelson showed he’s got a pretty good arm Saturday while throwing footballs into the crowd during the third round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The bad back that forced Mickelson to withdraw from the Farmers Insurance Open last month seems to be an issue no longer, as the Callaway player took time on the 16th to indulge a rowdy crowd with some Arizona State footballs. The stunt, coordinated with the help of Mickelson’s brother, the current head coach at ASU, was well appreciated by fans but not so helpful for the 43-year-old’s golf game.

Admitting afterwards, “I think it’s the last time I’m going to do that, because mentally I was thinking about throwing it a couple holes prior. It took me out of my element. I hit the worst shot imaginable on that 16th hole, and then I followed with four other terrible ones.”

Mickelson went on to finish T42. Not a great start for his 2014 season but the player is confident his game isn’t far off a win and he’ll be hoping for better results this weekend in Pebble Beach.

“My game is not far off, even though the score says that it is. It was just a fraction off,” said Mickelson. “My irons were what I struggled with but I drove the ball well, short game wasn't bad, putting wasn't bad. I have to go back to work on my iron play.”