While all the attention is focused on Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods this week, Phil Mickelson has three green jackets of his own and was the last American winner of this event in 2010. Lefty was a disappointing 27th last year in trying to defend his title.
Mickelson, 41, will be inducted into the the World Golf Hall of Fame in May, but Lefty’s passion still burns white-hot. A victory would be his fourth in the Masters, tying him with Woods and Arnold Palmer. This week marks Mickelson’s 20th appearance at Augusta National.
When asked what it would mean to him to win, Mickelson responded, “A lot.”
Lefty has already won this year on Tour and enters off a tie for fourth at last week’s Shell Houston Open – a tournament he won last year heading into Augusta.
“I just know that I’m doing everything I can to get my game to perform the absolute best this week,” Mickelson said. “I think because everybody is sharp, I think the scores are going to be low, and I’ve got to be sharp from day one, from shot one, to be able to compete and be in it for Sunday.”
Mickelson collected the 40th PGA Tour victory of his career at the 2012 ATT Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Rode a bogey-free final round of 8-under 64 to erase a six-shot deficit at the start of the day. Now ranks ninth all-time in PGA Tour victories. Finished a career-best T2 at the 2011 British Open. Won his third Masters in 2010, becoming the eighth player in Tournament history to do so. Holed an 18-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of the 2004 Masters to win his first career major title. Has nine top-10 finishes at the Masters since 2001. Won the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol.
Age: 41.
Country: United States.
World ranking: 15.
Wins: 42.
Majors: Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), PGA Championship (2005).
WagerWeb.com odds to win Masters: +850
Best Masters moment: The 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win his first major in 2004.
Worst Masters moment: The vertical leap to celebrate first major that was estimated at no more than 13 inches.
Overview: Even though Mickelson has one less Masters title, he now rivals Tiger as a perennial favorite. It doesn’t matter what form he’s on, and Mickelson at least has that win at Pebble Beach this year. He doesn’t feel as though he has to play perfectly. But he does have to make putts. Oddly enough, he has never been the runner-up.
MASTERS PLAYER RECORD
Scoring Avg: 71.03
Low Round: 65
High Round: 77
Rounds Under Par: 42
Year Place Score Round Money
1 2 3 4
2011 27 -1 70 72 71 74 $ 54,400
2010 1 -16 67 71 67 67 $ 1,350,000
2009 5 -9 73 68 71 67 $ 300,000
2008 5 -2 71 68 75 72 $ 273,750
2007 24 +11 76 73 73 77 $ 63,800
2006 1 -7 70 72 70 69 $ 1,260,000
2005 10 -3 70 72 69 74 $ 189,000
2004 1 -9 72 69 69 69 $ 1,170,000
2003 3 -5 73 70 72 68 $ 408,000
2002 3 -8 69 72 68 71 $ 380,800
2001 3 -13 67 69 69 70 $ 380,800
2000 7 -2 71 68 76 71 $ 143,367
1999 6 -3 74 69 71 71 $ 125,200
1998 12 -2 74 69 69 74 $ 64,800
1997 47 +6 76 74 $ 5,000
1996 3 -6 65 73 72 72 $ 170,000
1995 7 -8 66 71 70 73 $ 70,950
1993 34 +3 72 71 75 73 $ 8,975
1991 47 +2 69 73 74 74 $ 0
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