Mickelson: Searching for form
Also see
Phil Mickelson insists Tiger Woods' status as red-hot favourite for this week's Masters will count for nothing come Thursday morning.
Woods will tee off as perhaps the most overwhelming favourite in the tournament's history having won four of the five events he has entered this year, and eight of the last ten.
However Mickelson - twice a champion at Augusta in 2004 and 2006 - feels that expectation and predictions count for little by the time the first ball is struck in anger.
"I don't think it really matters if you're favoured or not, or what people expect," he stated.
"I think how you're perceived heading into the tournament really doesn't matter."
The world number two, who will be competing at Augusta for a 16th time this year, is looking forward to the first major of the year despite only a lukewarm run of form leading up to it.
Since his victory at Riviera back in February, the 37-year-old has failed to register a top-20 finish on the PGA Tour despite four further outings.
Putting practice
So often the area for which he is famed, Mickelson admits he needs to sharpen up his short game, but is hopeful his extensive experience of Augusta will help him rediscover his best.
"I need to spend some time chipping and putting, and that's an area I've never really been concerned with," he continued.
"It has always been an area of my game I felt confident with, putting and chipping.
"Also, knowing the reads, which I do for the most part here after playing here so many years, will give me more confidence in my read of the greens.
"It's such a special place for us as players. I love this golf course and I love this tournament."
Mickelson went on to reveal he may well put an extra driver in his bag as he did for his 2006 triumph, but would leave a decision until the day itself depending on his strategy.
"I'm hoping I only need one driver because I want to put an extra wedge in," he added. "But if I feel like distance is going to be a bigger factor, I'll stick a second driver in.
"It will be day-to-day. I have two or three different game plans.
"The length is the biggest factor, also all of the trees and the tightening of the golf course.
"I think what has changed the whole golf course immeasurably is one hole, and it's number seven.
"The whole thought process of playing the golf course used to be get through the first six holes around par, and you can birdie seven, eight and nine. Now seven has become the first or second-hardest par on the golf course.
"It changes when you can be aggressive and how many birdie holes you have."
