Four-time Major Champ Phil Mickelson returned to America's Resort for the first time since last year's tournament. "Lefty" said this event is one of his favorites on the tour because of all the family activities the Greenbrier provides.
"It's still one of the best trips that we've had," Mickelson said. "It's a place that my family loves and this is one of the coolest places to bring your family to."
Mickelson was teamed up with Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and Virginia Tech Head Football Coach Frank Beamer during Wednesday's Pro-Am. Mickelson shot 9-under-par and offered some advice to Beamer during their morning round on the Old White.
"He coached me right into a double bogey on the last hole but there he backed and it worked here, I didn't miss the putt." Beamer said. "Yeah I think I got a tip that can help. Great company and a little hot but I really enjoyed myself."
"We had a fun day and it was really interesting to have such range of conversations, talking sports, talking football with coach Beamer and then being able to talk politics and hear what's going on in the world and in the state of Kentucky as well as here at the Greenbrier," Mickelson added. "It was really a wide range of conversations. It was a fun day, a very insightful day."
In addition to Beamer, WVU and Marshall coaches should arrive on Thursday.
Tiger Woods finally got to play 18 on the Old White course today after rains washed out his round on Tuesday.
Tiger played resort owner Jim Justice in the Pro-Am and played extremely well on the course.
He finished 4-under-par today and hit an eagle on the back nine. He's coming off a big win last week at AT&T and has momentum on his side. Even though this was practice round, you can tell by watching Woods how focused he was.
Tiger looked a lot like Sam Snead on the course today with that focus. After all, this was Sam Snead's home course before he passed away in 2002.
Snead holds the PGA record with 82 wins, but Tiger is right behind him now at 74. Woods talked to the media about his relationship with Mr. Snead which began when Tiger was just 5 years old.
"I was this snot nose little kid of 5 years old. He played the last two holes with me. After that we had countless dinners and conversations," Woods said. "He was always so funny to be around. The stories he would tell and the needling, the needling was non stop."
These golfers have a special bond with their caddies. After all, they practically spend more time with them than their families.
But Steve Stricker is doing something a little different for this tournament.
Stricker is using his wife Nicki, as his caddy. This isn't the first time the married couple have been inside the ropes together.
She's been caddying for Steve on and off for 18 years ever since he turned pro in 1994.
"He's been doing this for a long time, he know his game," Nicki Stricker said. "If I get an opportunity to save him one shot a round, I'd think I'd be doing a good job."
Round one The Greenbrier Classic tees off at 7 A.M. on Thursday.
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