Phil Mickelson thrilled by Masters performance

Reports of Phil Mickelson’s demise would appear to have been greatly exaggerated. 

The three-time Masters champion rolled back the years with a vintage performance on the final day of this year’s tournament at Augusta National.  

Starting the final round ten shots off Brooks Koepka’s lead, the 52-year-old carded his best-ever final round in the opening men’s major of the year, shooting a scintillating 65 to set the early clubhouse target at eight-under-par. 

In the end, only an inspired Jon Rahm was able to better that mark, the Spaniard closing with a 69 to finish on 11-under-par and win his second major championship.  

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For Mickelson, who ultimately finished tied for second with Koepka, it was a 12th career runner-up finish in the four events that matter most.  

Given all that he has had to endure over the past year, however, he leaves Augusta in nothing but good spirits.  

“I’m hopeful that this kind of catapults me into playing the rest of the year the way I believe I’m playing,” said the six-time major champ. “I really worked hard in the off-season to get ready.  

“I’ve been shooting some really low scores at home, and today I kind of let it happen rather than trying to force it, and I had a really good day and made some noise. 

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough but it was really a lot of fun for me to play at this level again, and it’s encouraging for me going forward the rest of the year.” 

Mickelson’s next start will be in the LIV Golf event in Australia in a fortnight’s time and, despite criticism of the Saudi-funded enterprise, he insists he’s perfectly happy with where he’s at. 

“I wanted something different for a lot of reasons, and I’m getting a lot out of it because having a team environment when I was in high school and college golf, it elevated my game, having players to play with, compete with.  

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“It brought a great energy and excitement. And that’s what this is doing for me at LIV. I’m not saying it’s for everybody, but it’s been awesome for me, and I love it. 

“I’m excited to go play in Australia, but this tournament isn’t about what tour you play from. There’s players from all over, all over the world on many different tours, and you’re bringing the best players to play against each other in the majors. 

“That’s what it’s all about. That’s what the game of golf should be. There’s always going to be and should always be a place for historical events like this, but it’s okay to have a little bit of different and variety in the game of golf.” 

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor