Las Vegas, Nevada (July 22, 2013)–Butch Harmon called Phil Mickelson's final round of 66 at Muirfield to win The Open Championship the best he's ever seen. And Harmon, who operates the Butch Harmon School of Golf at Las Vegas' Rio Secco Golf Club, should know. He has watched first-hand as Greg Norman, Tiger Woods, and Stewart Cink won the prestigious tournament while they were working with him. Mickelson is the fourth player that Harmon has helped win the Claret Jug. "I think this one tops it," Harmon told the BBC about Phil the Thrill's round being more impressive than Norman's 64 at Royal St. George's in 1993. "It was absolutely brilliant." Read on for video of Harmon's interview. –By Brian Hurlburt, follow @LVGolfInsider
Harmon and Mickelson have worked together for about six years, and have spoken a lot about how to play links-style golf. Last week, Mickelson won the Scottish Open, and is now the only player in history to win that event and The Open Championship in back-to-back weeks. Mickelson said several times during the week that he is playing the best golf of his career.
Harmon has operated his Harmon school at Rio Secco and sister Course Cascata for more than a decade, and continues to work with some of the game's greatest players in addition to Mickelson. His school location is filled with flags signed by major winners and photos of Harmon enjoying multiple championship celebrations. As a note, the Harmon School is open to all golfers and school packages with Harmon and/or his high-level staff of professionals are available throughout the year. Click now to the official ButchHarmon.com website for more details and to plan your chance to learn Harmon's swing secrets.
"This is just an amazing feeling winning this great championship," Mickelson told the media following the epic round. "And to play probably the best round of my career and hit some of the best shots that I've ever hit … certainly putt better than I've ever putted. You know, I was getting ready for today and I just thought I need to bring my 'A' game today. I just need to bring it. I need to show up and play some of my best golf. And I did. I played some of the best golf of my career. It feels amazing to have this championship. And then to make it even more special, to have Amy, Amanda, Sophia, Evan here; to share this with Bones; to have Steve Loy who's been with me back from my college days all the way through; to have Butch Harmon here to share this moment, it really is special. It's a day that I'll always cherish, always remember." Quote courtesy ASAPSports.com. Harmon photo: MartinPhotoGroup.com.