Phil Mickelson: The big left-hander was the star of the show on Tuesday, when the PGA of America had its media day for the 90 th PGA Championship, which will be held in mid-August at Medinah Country Club in Chicago. Except that Mickelson was in his hometown of San Diego, being beamed via the Internet to golf writers around the world.

“I have a lot of fond memories of Medinah,’’ Mickelson said. “It was my first major championship that I’ve ever played in, the U.S. Open in 1990, and it started an incredible run of 0-for-46 in the majors.’’

When the laughter died down, he added: “Hopefully, we’ll have a little bit more luck this year. But after last year’s success at Baltusrol, it really has given me a special feeling for the PGA Championship. And the thing I loved so much about winning this great championship was there were six months in between majors, and I was able to really enjoy this off-season.’’

That he won the Masters in April also means that Mickelson is working on his own version of the calendar slam, or the Mickel-slam, as some have dubbed it. Of course, the upcoming U.S. Open at Winged Foot and the British Open at Royal Liverpool still stand in his way.

Repeating at the PGA won’t be an easy task, either. The course has been lengthened to 7,560 yards, making it the longest venue to ever host a major championship, which caused Lefty to quip: “I’m thinking about coming to the PGA as a spectator instead of a player.’’

Yeah, right. But give the guy a little room, because Mickelson has righted his career in a most impressive way. But always the “deep thinker,’’ he said that giving up his go-for-broke style in favor of a more conservative approach really isn’t quite what the media thinks.

“A lot has been said that I’ve been playing more conservatively, and actually what I have tried to do is stay consistent with my aggressive nature, but the difference is, I might play the immediate shot more conservative so that I can play the next shot more aggressive.’’

Say what? “I might take a small step back, and we might call that a conservative play, but it’s with the idea that my next shot will be much more aggressive. . . . rather than always playing the immediate shot as the most aggressive.’’

It makes you wonder what the PGA Tour’s leading money winner will think of next? Still, despite his lofty status, he’s not quite ready to claim top honors just yet, he said.

“Well, I would never say that,’’ he said when asked if he feels like he’s No. 1 in the world rankings. “The 10-year career that Tiger has had deserves the respect of all the players. . . . I would never question that.’’

But should Mickelson prevail at the U.S. Open, it would give him three in a row, and four wins in the last 10 majors, compared with Tiger’s two wins during the same span. Certainly, it would earn Mickelson his first PGA Tour player of the year award, and it might be enough to vault him to No. 1.

NOTEWORTHY

Anser Award: V.O. “Red’’ Allen, who played professionally and served as director of golf at the Wigwam Resort and Spa for 42 years, has been named the 2006 winner of the Anser Award. Allen, who still plays the game at age 94, will be honored May 30 at the Southwest Section of the PGA’s annual meeting at the Sheraton at Wildhorse Pass.

First Tee: Hugh Smith has been named as the new executive director of the First Tee of Phoenix. Smith brings more than 10 years of experience in the golf industry to the job, even though his last employment was working for the Office of the Governor in the state of Mississippi.

Back on tour: Blair O’Neal, the former Arizona State standout, has returned to the Futures Tour after nearly a one-year hiatus. O’Neal, who suffered a severe ankle injury last July, played last week in Tucson, where she shot 4-under 68 while walking her first 18 holes since the injury. She finished tied for 62 nd.

Last chance: Getting tickets to a major championship is not easy, but the 90 th PGA Championship at Medinah still has tickets available at www.pga2006.com. Prices range from $90-$125 (daily) to $300 (for the week).