ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Phil Mickelson was looking forward to his return to the East Lothian area of Scotland last week for the Scottish Open because he wanted to visit Muirfield, where he won The Open two years ago.
The Scottish Open was played at Gullane, just down the street from The Open venue where Mickelson rallied on the final day to win the Claret Jug.
On Saturday following the third round of the tournament, Mickelson went with his wife, Amy, caddie Jim "Bones'' Mackay and agent Steve Loy to reminisce. In tow was a bottle of wine.
"Since I turned professional, I've had the same wife, caddie and manager,'' Mickelson said Sunday after shooting 68 in the final round of the Scottish Open. "Those three people are amongst the most important in my life. The four of us went to Muirfield and just walked around.
"The membership was so great because no one came out with us. They let us have our moment. We spent about an hour and a half remembering what took place two years ago. It was probably the most special victory of my career. So to relive it with those three people was very emotional. We probably could have used another bottle, if I'm honest.''
Mickelson, 45, had never fared particularly well at The Open, with just one previous top-10 finish in 2004. His best finish at St. Andrews was a tie for 11th in 2000.
"Two years removed from that win, I still can't believe how much it means to me,'' Mickelson said. "Standing on and around the 18th green was wonderful. I didn't hit the most critical shot there, but the emotions were running high. And I remembered that. It was a special moment. It even a rained a bit, which was perfect.''