Monday 25 January 2016 13:55, UK
Phil Mickelson believes his game is heading back in the right direction after a solid return to action at the CareerBuilder Challenge.
The 45-year-old finished in a tie for third in his first appearance since featuring in the USA's Presidents Cup victory in October, ending the week four strokes adrift of winner Jason Dufner.
Mickelson has spent his lay-off working with new coach Andrew Getson having split with long-time mentor Butch Harmon, as he looks to regain the swing and form that helped him to win five major titles.
The American is without a victory worldwide since his memorable 2013 Open win, but feels upbeat with the progress he has made over his extended close season.
"It was a really good start for me, it has been a good week for me," Mickelson told Sky Sports. "It's not necessarily the result that I wanted, but I played the way that I wanted to.
"I feel that my touch, focus and feel are starting to come back slowly but it's actually been a difficult three or four months to get the swing from where I was to where it is now.
"It wasn't until Monday or Tuesday that I really started to get any type of face awareness. My swing feels really good."
Mickelson followed a four-under 68 with rounds of 66 and 67 to head in to the final round still in contention, before he closed the week with a bogey-free 68.
Next up is a return to San Diego for this week's Farmers Insurance Open, an event he has won three times, with Mickelson keen to build on his steady start to 2016.
"It wasn't until the start of this week that I started to feel somewhat sharp," Mickelson added. "Even throughout the tournament I wasn't confident enough with it and not trusting it, but as the weeks go on I think it's going to get better and better.
"It was a big week for me because I needed to get off on the right foot and know that what I'm doing is in the right way.
"[A good performance] certainly calms my nerves and anxiety a little bit. I was concerned about whether it was going to come back and how long is it was going to take.
"I got a pretty good glimpse that my game is on the right path in the direction I want it and it's really days away from clicking."
Watch the Farmers Insurance Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Featured group coverage begins on the Sky Sports red button and Sky Sports Xtra on Thursday from 5pm.
