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Phil Mickelson not lacking in confidence heading into Masters third round

By David Salituro

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Phil Mickelson of the United States walks on the second hole during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Phil Mickelson of the United States walks on the second hole during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson heads into the weekend at Augusta National three off the lead and ready to hit “bombs.”

If Phil Mickelson thought his disappointing second round yesterday dropped him from contention for his fourth Green Jacket, he certainly wasn’t showing it today.

The 49-year-old Mickelson followed up his opening round 67 with a one-over 73 in Friday’s second round and heads into the weekend at the Masters in a tie for 12th place and three shots behind the leaders. But on Saturday afternoon, in preparation for his third round, he posted a video on Twitter overflowing with confidence bordering on cockiness.

“Wearing all black, being aggressive. Hitting bombs,” Mickelson says while driving his car down Magnolia Lane. “Got to 125.1 club head speed last night. I haven’t done that, I think, in my life.”

https://twitter.com/PhilMickelson/status/1117096350519193601

Mickelson is already a three-time Masters champion, his last title coming in 2010. But as he’s gotten older, he’s only getting faster and longer with his drives. He ranks 20th on the PGA Tour this year with a 120.3 m.p.h. average club head speed and is 26th in driving distance at 304 yards. Five years ago Mickelson’s speed was just 115.6 and he was 12 yards shorter off the tee.

All that, he believes, only works to his advantage at Augusta National. He explains why and, in addition to taking a jab at playing partner Matt Kuchar for his caddie controversy, reveals his game plan for Saturday’s round in the video. “The shelves are so small where the pins are that you’ve got to hit bombs off the tee to be able to get to those small sections,” he says. “And that’s what I’m going to do today, hit bombs and attack the pin here at the Masters.”

If anyone in the field this week knows what it takes to succeed at Augusta, it should be Mickelson. Friday happened to be his 100th career round at the Masters. He got off to a great start on Thursday in his 27th Masters appearance, going five-under on his last seven holes to finish a shot out of the lead. In the second round, though, he only made one birdie on the back-nine to fall back to four-under for the tournament.

Mickelson is in for a challenge getting back into contention this weekend. Five players, all past major champions, are tied for the lead at seven-under. Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson are just a shot back. None of that seems to be bothering Mickelson though, who seemed as calm as can be while on his leisurely drive onto the Augusta grounds.

He tees off with Kuchar at 1:45 p.m. EST.

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