Open Champion Mickelson still competitive
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Plagued by a back injury, Phil Mickelson is coming into this Masters without any wins, and with very little in terms of good results to give him confidence. And yet, he will still be many people’s favourite this year.
Part of that is to do with the absence of the player who has dominated this event for the past 17 years; and part to do with the huge following Mickelson always has this side of the pond. But, Mickelson, who is the current Open Champion, will also gain great comfort from the fact that he has won this Tournament three times.
“I don’t have to play perfect around here to play well,” he says. “I’ve always felt very loose when I come down Magnolia Drive, because I know there are places here where I can make up strokes on the field. Having said that, I am nervous about this week, because I have not had the wins or good finishes I would have expected, coming into this week.”
Mickelson seems unfazed by the fact that he may have to eat ‘bugs’ at the Champions Dinner, courtesy of Adam Scott. “I’ll definitely give them a try,” he says. “I might spit them out and then have a steak, but I’ll definitely give them a try.”
On Tuesday, Phil Mickelson and Ricky Fowler took the money off Jason Dufner and Dustin Johnson, helped considerably by Fowler going out in 30. And, despite his recent form, there is a boyish enthusiasm which surrounds the 43-year-old, ever since his exploits last July.
“I definitely feel different,” he says. “I feel a more complete player, after what happened at Muirfield.”
It is probable that if you offered Mickelson one major this year, he would take the US Open at Pinehurst, because it would mean he would become one of the game’s elite who have won all four major championships. And yet, don’t expect the five-time major champion not to be competitive. “I know that Tiger and Arnold [Palmer] have won four Green Jackets, and I have won three,” he says. “Now I know Jack [Nicklaus] has six, but there’s not a whole lot I can do about that yet!”
