By Alex Myers
Most golf fans are getting to know Shubhanker Sharma for the first time at this week’s WGC-Mexico Championship, but Phil Mickelson actually met the rising star on Saturday. He just had no clue who he was. At least, at first.

Before the third round at Club de Golf Chapultepec, Shubhanker, 21, approached Mickelson, who he calls “a legend,” on the practice green. And Mickelson apparently thought he was a pesky reporter and didn’t realize he was the guy leading the tournament.

Before his 3rd round today the leader, @shubhankargolf went up to introduce himself to Phil Mickelson. Phil thought he was a member of the media and said he would talk after the round. Phil then realized who he was and the two said hello. Classic!

— Todd Lewis (@ToddLewisGC) March 4, 2018

Classic is right. Shubhanker backed up the tale of this awkward intro after.

"He probably thought we were media and said, ‘Not right now. After the round." ?

Shubhankar Sharma will NEVER forget the first time he met Phil Mickelson. ? pic.twitter.com/K1U4ARlmrv

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 4, 2018

The good news for Shubhanker is there will be little time before the next episode of How I Met Phil Mickelson. Following a third-round 69 that kept the two-time European Tour winner from India in the lead, the two will play together (along with England’s Tyrrell Hatton) in Sunday’s final pairing. And having a laugh over Saturday’s mix-up should be a good first-tee icebreaker.

The post Phil Mickelson blew off Shubhanker Sharma thinking he was a reporter — before realizing he’s the guy leading the tournament appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.