AUGUSTA | Much has been said and written about Phil Mickelson over the past 18 months. This week at the Masters hasn’t changed. After his absence from the 2022 edition, shaken by all his statements on the PGA Tour and the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the old roader responded brilliantly.
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At 52, Lefty became the oldest golfer to break into the top 5 at the Masters Tournament. He got there thanks to a final card of 65 (-7) which made him jump 19 ranks by finishing with a cumulative record of -8. It’s been a long time since he recorded such a good official score.
Who would have predicted such a scenario at the start of the week?
Since becoming the oldest major champion in history at the PGA Championship of America in May 2021 at Kiawah Island, Mickelson hasn’t been the same man. Over the course of his controversial statements and after his very lucrative signing with LIV Golf, he sank and unfortunately lost the luster he had taken decades to achieve.
The Phil of yesteryear
In the final round of the Masters, we saw the Phil Mickelson of the good days. The one who has won the green jacket three times. Several pounds less, however. He finally delivered what he had been feeling for some time.
“It was obvious to me that I still had a similar round in me with the quality shots I was hitting. I was playing well, but I was not posting the desired score”, explained the one who managed to bring back three rounds under par.
Except for that 75 (+3) in very difficult conditions in the third round, Mickelson held on. Tied with Spieth at 29.17%, he had the best birding rate. He amassed 21 during the 72 holes. He erased half of that due to his nine bogeys and two double bogeys.
“Even though I got stuck in a few places, I managed to stay in the present moment by performing good shots,” he said, thanking his brother who supported him during this 30th adventure in Augusta.
Mickelson now hopes this performance will catapult him for the rest of the season. He aims to participate in the three Grand Slam championships on the calendar.
A flag planted
Less often active on the circuit managed by Greg Norman and playing three-day tournaments rather than four, experts found it hard to see how one of the 18 representatives of LIV Golf could really establish themselves among the leaders.
Twelve of them resisted the ax. Of the lot, three finished in the top 5. Apart from Mickelson and Koepka, Patrick Reed, champion of the 2018 edition, took fourth place with Jordan Spieth and Russell Henley.
The controversial circuit has therefore planted a flag on the property of the Augusta National by proving that its representatives still belong to the elite.
“We remain the same. I know that if I’m healthy, I can compete. I believe that none of the participants in this tournament believed otherwise, estimated Brooks Koepka who led the charge for LIV during 36 holes.
“When Phil plays well, we know he is able to place himself in the competition, added the one who finished second. Patrick (Reed) too. We are not finished.”
Mickelson also concluded with wiser words than his attacks on the PGA Tour on social media.
“It was an exciting tournament. He rises above the whole scrum, Lefty said. It brings together the best golfers in the world and it has dropped meanness. It’s awesome.”