Tour News

Mickelson named Interim Assistant Coach at ASU

Published

12 years ago

Nov 11, 2014

Above: Phil Mickelson (right) and his brother Tim Mickelson, who is the head coach of the ASU Men’s Golf Team.

Phil Mickelson has returned, at least in title, to his alma mater Arizona State University, according to Golfweek. The five-time major champion and three-time individual NCAA Champion for the Sun Devils (1988-92) has been named interim assistant coach of the men’s golf team.

Don’t expect Mickelson to cut down on his Tour schedule to travel with the team and talk course strategy at tournaments, but do expect ASU to load up on recruits in the near future. Mickelson’s new position allows him to join forces with his younger brother, Tim Mickelson, who is in his fourth year as head coach of the team, and play a more central role in recruiting than just being an alumni. And according to reports, he’s already playing his role well.

The Sunday Morning Herald reported that 16-year old Ryan Ruffels, a highly touted Australian junior golfer, received a call from Mickelson luring him to play for his alma-mater. Ruffels told the Herald they chatted for an hour.

Ruffels won the World Junior 15-17 boys’ title in July 2014 and finished fourth in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship last month. His upcoming schedule includes the Australian Masters in Melbourne and Australian Open in Sydney at the end of November.

Hopefully the new recruits are comfortable with a pod-system.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

15 Comments

other paul

Nov 12, 2014 at 8:00 am

Is ASU a Christian university? What’s with all the (anti) religious comments?

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- Mat
  
  Nov 12, 2014 at 12:12 pm
  
  Well, they are Devils…
  
  Reply Report comment
Jake Anderson

Nov 12, 2014 at 6:29 am

I think all the comments about Phil Mickelson’s alleged weight problems are totally misplaced. He is a beautiful male athlete and he should be proud of his body!
Go Phily!

Reply Report comment
- Pat
  
  Nov 15, 2014 at 8:43 pm
  
  Let’s call it what it is. I’m a huge Mickelson fan, but he is definitely out of shape and overweight but somehow makes it work for what he has to do. Baseball, golf, sumo and MMA are the only sports where the “athletes” can get away with being fat. No need to sugarcoat things Jake. There is nothing beautiful about Phil’s body.
  
  Reply Report comment
Dave

Nov 11, 2014 at 10:20 pm

Callaway can’t be too happy about him wearing that Nike hat in the pic! ; ) love Lefty hope he comes back strong next season.

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TheFightingEdFioris

Nov 11, 2014 at 9:18 pm

This is awesome, just another reason to love Hefty. There may be reports of him being “fake”, but I’ll take that over my boy Tiger just flat-out being an a*s.

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Bert

Nov 11, 2014 at 4:50 pm

I guess I’m missing something? I still don’t understand why negative comments concerning Phil. What’s he done to be abrasive?

I believe he’s a great champion and most deserved of the victories he’s obtained and has more than paid the price with many second place finishes.

He keeps his charitable contributions quiet, but it’s know that he has been more than supportive of many great charities.

And where did all the Christ hater’s comments come from? If you hate Christ so, He must be real in your life. If He’s not real; how can you hate Him?

Has a post been removed?

Reply Report comment
- Pat
  
  Nov 15, 2014 at 8:48 pm
  
  I’m a huge Mickelson fan as well, but let’s not be blind and in denial about Phil’s demeanor and personality. He is very cordial to his fans, but is known to be rude and condescending at times to his peers. I’ve seen it first hand when he played at Riviera one year. I think it’s great that he’s done so much in the name of charity and the golf community however.
  
  Reply Report comment
patrick

Nov 11, 2014 at 4:27 pm

Ronald doesn’t need christ he needs common sense.

Reply Report comment
Ben

Nov 11, 2014 at 2:57 pm

Golfwrx lets be careful what we publish about recruiting we don’t want to get phil in trouble for NCAA violations ok?

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Another Jeff

Nov 11, 2014 at 11:55 am

Ronald,

I’m not a fan of Phil either. But I am, a preacher’s son, and I think what you are railing against is what I have seen all my life – folks you consider to be hypocrites. I know at least for me – I don’t deny anyone their faith and, honestly, I applaud those who’s lives seem to follow their beliefs. My father (now deceased – estimated that only 50 -60% of those sitting in the pews each week were converted. The others were – playing Church. As an example of a guy who lives his beliefs I would offer up Bernhard Langer. I think you would find him much more palatable than someone professing Christ and acting the Devil. Christians aren’t perfect – but true Christians are trying to be more and more Christlike each day. Ronald as a still somewhat rebellious Christian – I hope you will find the peace in your life that my less rebellious brothers and sisters have found.

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- Honmagolfan
  
  Nov 11, 2014 at 3:55 pm
  
  Another Jeff, well said. Ronald, no one is perfect, but hyprocrites need Christ more than anyone. But true Christ followers try to be more Christlike in their faith.
  
  Reply Report comment
- joe
  
  Nov 12, 2014 at 8:39 am
  
  where does bubba fit into this?
  
  Reply Report comment
- Pat
  
  Nov 15, 2014 at 8:51 pm
  
  You guys do need a to chill out. Ronald is entitled to his opinions like the rest of us. I hate Tiger because he is such a d-bag both on and off the course. Does that make me a horrible person? No it doesn’t and just because Ronald dislikes Phil doesn’t mean he’s a horrible individual either.
  
  Reply Report comment
Ronald

Nov 11, 2014 at 11:12 am

I’m so glad he’s not a jesus freak. I’d hate his guts even more, which is hard to do

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site for the second major of 2026: The PGA Championship from Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The tournament’s location, just outside Philadelphia, and its status as a major championship mean GolfWRXers are in for a treat: WITBs from a strong field, custom gear celebrating the PGA Championship, and the rich culture of the City of Brotherly Love — we have noted a relative absence of cheesesteak-themed items thus far this week, but most of the rest of the usual suspects are well represented.

Check out links to all our photos below.