Winning the week before a major might not be quite as cursed as finishing first in the Masters par-three nine-holer but you wouldn’t say it has a track record of producing champions at the big four tournaments.
Phil Mickelson is aiming to buck the trend at Muirfield this week after his Castle Stuart triumph on Sunday.
And at least he can say that he’s done it before.
“It’s difficult,” he admitted. “It’s difficult to win the week before a major and then follow it up by winning the major. But then again the last person to do it you’re looking at him.”
Actually, we weren’t. We were looking at him a few hours earlier when Tiger Woods gave his press conference.
Woods won the Bridgestone Invitational the week prior to the USPGA in 2007, while the back-to-back Mickelson was referring to was Atlanta then the Masters in 2007.
Just like Tiger to rain on Phil’s parade.
Still, the point remains a valid one. He’s proved it can be done.
It certainly helps that Muirfield is an Open venue that suits the Mickelson eye.
“I think that my favourite would be St Andrews because of the history that’s there,” he said. “But from an opportunity to win standpoint I would say that Muirfield or Troon would offer the two best chances, because of the way the holes move.
“It’s very comfortable for me off some of the tees, getting the ball in play, as well as around the greens. I like it a lot.
“Muirfield and Troon are the two courses that I feel most comfortable hitting the shots needed.”
Mickelson has already showcased his famous backwards-over-the-head trick shot in practice.
It’s unlikely to be repeated in the heat of battle, but surprisingly, so too is the much more standard driver-off-the-tee.
He said: “I’m not going to carry it (driver) this week. I feel like the 64 degree wedge on this firm ground can save me some shots, and I just don’t see how a driver is going to help me in any areas.
“I’m able to hit a three wood on this firm ground every bit as close enough in distance. And distance on any tee shot is not in my mind.
“It’s avoiding bunkers, avoiding rough, getting the ball in the fairway. And I can do it a lot easier with clubs other than driver.”