As we watched the scorched earth of Phil Mickelson’s first-round 61 at the Charles Schwab Series during his first go-around as a Champions Tour player yesterday, it’s fun to think back to where Lefty began equipment-wise as a newly 22-year-old making his pro debut at the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

Honestly, it was this bag that sparked my interest in equipment—even back then, Phil had just something about him that was extremely unique. Having recently signed a deal with Japanese club maker Yonex, it was his first go-around with the irons. He didn’t opt into the driver until later in the season.

I saw him play at the Ernst Championship (Fred Couples Charity event at Overlake CC in Seattle) in 1994, and it was not only my first time seeing Tour players up close, but it was my first experience with lead tape as Mickelson had it caked on his Yonex irons.

The Tour Spoon 3-wood stayed in the bag for quite awhile actually as well as the putter and Ping Eye 2 lob wedge.

If this doesn’t bring back some great memories of gear geekiness, I don’t know what will…

(obviously, pictures are representative/right-handed and not Phil’s actual equipment)

Driver: TaylorMade Tour Driver (8.5 degrees) with FlexTwist Graphite Shaft X

3 Wood: TaylorMade Tour Spoon (13 degrees) with FlexTwist Graphite Shaft X

Irons: Ping Eye 2 (1) with True Temper Dynamic Gold X100, Yonex Tour Forged (3-10) with Yonex LTB 600 Boron XX flex

Wedges: Yonex (56) with Yonex LTB 600 Boron X flex, Ping Eye2 (60) with True Temper Dynamic Gold X100

Putter: Arnold Palmer “The Original” 34 inches w/ Leather Wrap Grip

Ball: Titleist Tour 384 100 Balata

Glove: Titleist Players