Thursday, April 08, 2010

Mickelson Feels The Love At Augusta

Phil Mickelson says he always feels relaxed at Augusta National because of the way the golf course sets up for his explosive game.

But he feels even better at the Masters this week because his wife, Amy, and their three kids are in town.

Mickelson used an eagle-birdie-birdie stretch starting at the 13th hole to ignite his 5-under par 67 that gave him a share of the first-round lead with Tom Watson, Lee Westwood and Y.E. Yang.

Mickelson said it's the first PGA Tour event his family has been with him since The Players Championship last May, shortly before his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Amy was in the team hotel with Mickelson at the Presidents Cup last fall but did not go to the golf course. She did not come to the course Thursday as she continues to battle the side effects from her breast cancer treatments.

"It would be cool but tough," Mickelson said. "Just that she and the kids are here is cool."

Though Mickelson hasn't played particularly well this year, he said before the tournament that Augusta National helps him find his comfort zone. He drove it well Thursday and putted extremely well, holing a 30-foot eagle putt at No. 13 and a 40-footer for birdie at No. 14.

"It's a good start," Mickelson said. "My expectations are high. It's just one of four (rounds)."

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

He should feel the love. He is the greatest golfer with respect for the game that is alive today.

Anonymous said...

Slightly off topic: Could the Observer possibly have a more irritating and obnoxious add on its website for the Quail Hollow Championship? And we have to look at this drop down for the next two weeks?

What a bush league paper the C.O. is becoming