TEEING OFF

Five things to look for on the professional golf scene:

1. It was a busy Wednesday for Phil Mickelson as he prepared to play the Memorial, only a couple of blinks removed from his stirring victory at the Colonial, which should have afforded him some down time to enjoy it.

Does this sound like somebody taking it easy? First, he flew to Ohio from New York, then played 18 holes in the pro-am at Muirfield Village Golf Club, then conducted a question-and-answer session with the media, then taped a spot for sponsor Rolex, met with the clothier of the PGA of America to be fitted for his Ryder Cup clothes, squeezed in a workout session and finished up with a business dinner.

Maybe somewhere along the way Mickelson figured out which wedge he’s not going to pack. He had five in his bag for the pro-am, the same number he used when he won by a shot at the Colonial.

Chances are Mickelson ought to play Colonial more often, because he could have another three or four victories, at least with the mix Mickelson had working for the week.

He was 14 for 14 on putts from five feet or closer. He was 65 for 73 on putts inside 10 feet. He was nine for nine on sand saves. He birdied the 18th hole all four days.

For someone who hits his irons close, as Mickelson often does, and for someone who can launch his drives, as Mickelson always does, Colonial looks like a setup for him. Then again, you play that way and virtually any course is there for the taking.

Mickelson averaged 317.6 yards off the tee, hit 72% of the greens in regulation and was third in putting.

2. He had a bad wrist last year, after injuring himself hitting out of the rough in a practice round for the Open at Oakmont, Pa., but Mickelson is healthy and mentally prepared this time around.

“I feel better than I’ve ever felt,” he said. “I’ve got no issues with my hands or anything. I feel great. I’ve had a year now to work on the swing changes with Butch [Harmon]. Those feel very comfortable. I think it could be a very good one.”

3. Mickelson’s usual mode of doing business is to play the tournament immediately before a major, but he isn’t going to be in Memphis next week. In his three major triumphs, Mickelson was 10th at the BellSouth before the 2004 Masters, won the BellSouth before the 2006 Masters and was 10th at the International before the 2005 PGA Championship.

So why is Phil sitting out Memphis? Easy, he needs a break. The Memorial is Mickelson’s fourth tournament in five weeks and his sixth in the last nine weeks.

That means the Open will be Mickelson’s seventh tournament in 11 weeks. Assuming Tiger Woods plays, it will be his second tournament in 12 weeks.

4. This is no longer breaking news -- Fred Couples talked about it extensively at last year’s Target tournament -- but the topic is still active: If Woods weren’t around, it’s Mickelson to whom the best golfers would be compared.

Mickelson, who turns 38 on June 16, has 34 PGA Tour victories. No one except Woods (with 64) has more. And if Mickelson stays on track, he’ll end his career solidly in the PGA Tour’s top 10 winners’ list. Tom Watson is tied for 10th with 39 victories.

5. There are few who would disagree with the opinion that Woods and Mickelson are the clear favorites at Torrey Pines, where they have won a combined nine times -- six by Woods.

But Mickelson’s three victories were in 1993, 2000 and 2001, before the course was lengthened nearly 500 yards to 7,568 yards. Five of Woods’ victories have come since Rees Jones oversaw the project to re-do Torrey Pines.

And, remember, Torrey Pines will play to a U.S. Open record distance of 7,643 yards.

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THE TOURNAMENTS

PGA TOUR

Memorial

When: Today-Sunday.

Where: Dublin, Ohio.

TV: Golf Channel (Today-Friday, noon-3 p.m., 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; Sunday, 9-11 a.m.) and Channel 2 (Saturday, noon-3 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.).

LPGA TOUR

Ginn Tribute

When: Today-Sunday.

Where: Mount Pleasant, S.C.

TV: Golf Channel (Today, 3:30-5:30 p.m. and 9:30-11:30 p.m., Friday, 8:30-10:30 p.m. and Friday, 11 p.m.-Saturday, 12:30 a.m.) and Channel 4 (Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m.).

CHAMPIONS TOUR

Principal Charity Classic

When: Friday-Sunday.

Where: West Des Moines, Iowa.

TV: Golf Channel (Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 12:30-2 a.m. and 3:30-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 p.m.-midnight, Sunday, 3:30-6 p.m. and 10 p.m.-midnight).

NATIONWIDE TOUR

Bank of America Open

When: Today-Sunday.

Where: Glenview, Ill.

TV: Golf Channel (Today, 10 a.m.-noon; 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m. and Friday, 10 a.m.-noon; Saturday, 2-3:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, midnight-1:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Monday, midnight-1:30 a.m.).

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A SLICE OF LIFE

Phil Mickelson, asked about the chance that the USGA may move the tee up at the 435-yard 14th at Torrey Pines:

“I think it would be cool. There aren’t any fun holes out there. They’re all just long beasts.”

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STAT OF THE WEEK

Phil Mickelson has a chance for a record sweep of the PGA Tour’s so-called “legends” tournaments, if he wins Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial tournament this week. Mickelson has already won Arnold Palmer’s event at Bay Hill, Byron Nelson’s event, and the Colonial, associated with Ben Hogan. No one has won all four.

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thomas.bonk@latimes.com