Sky Sports.com - Masters 2008

Mickelson: short-game still in great shape

In light of his poor health over the week, Phil Mickelson's victory at the WGC-CA Championship was a truly magnificent performance.

A debilitating dehydration problem meant the American got ever weaker as the tournament went on to the point that he was admitted to hospital on Saturday evening and put on an intravenous drip.

But he returned to the course to win and now is ranked No 2 in the world, a spot he fully deserves even if the gap between him and No 1 Tiger Woods is misleading.

Mickelson admitted as much in his winner's speech, reminding everyone that Tiger has not played at all for nine months.

There are signs already that Tiger is getting back to his best form and if he does he will still be head-and-shoulders above anyone else in the game.

With the Masters only four weeks away, Mickelson's return to form is timely not least because he knows what it takes to win there and has the short-game to do so again.

Cavalier

Recently Phil has worked on his swing with Butch Harmon, who has recognised the need to shorten his backswing and keep the whole thing under greater control so he hits more fairways.

Phil is probably not in the top-five in the world tee-to-green in terms of ball-striking but his touch around the greens is peerless.

That, allied to an improvement in his ball-striking, will make him a very, very close favourite behind Woods at Augusta.

From a coach's perspective, it is important to try and rein in Phil's cavalier spirit, that gun-ho attitude that makes him reach for the driver all the time and try to card as many birdies and eagles as possible.

That's what the recent changes in his swing have been all about - they are an attempt to make him less aggressive character on the course.

Transition

Doral produced some other notable displays, not least from Oliver Wilson who shot a tremendous last round of 66 that catapulted him up the leaderboard to joint-fifth spot.

He's now got to make the transition, though, and start winning; we all agree what a good player he is but good players win golf tournaments.

Yes, he might amass a fortune but unless he goes from being in contention to learning to win he will hang his spikes up without a title to his name.

Justin Rose is another player back on the rise; it was noticeable during the Tavistock Cup that he is swinging better and looking an awfully lot better over the putter as well.

Last year he didn't putt at all well and he looked decidedly uncomfortable; he looked as though he had a built-in pull because he was missing a lot of putts left, whereas now he looks a lot more settled.

He still struggles with his back at times, which is why his schedule can be patchy but with enough rest he'll be aiming to step up again in the major championships.

Nothing motivates a tournament golfer more than having a child and Justin became a father just a few weeks ago with the arrival of baby Leo so maybe that will be the thing that spurs him on for a great 2009.

Gentleman

Colin Montgomerie has said he will leave no stone unturned in his pursuit of the Ryder Cup so I'm delighted that Jose Maria Olazabal has agreed to be Europe's vice-captain for 2010.

Given his injury problems, the odds are against Jose Maria making the team; he's an awesome golfer but you require an incredible level of fitness to win Ryder Cup selection.

I'm one of Jose Maria's biggest fans; when I won my first tournament in 1989 I beat him by a shot and the way he hugged and congratulated me on the 18th green proved he is a pure gentleman.

He hasn't changed throughout his career, he's a lovely guy and Europe couldn't have a better vice-captain. I wouldn't be surprised if he followed that by becoming the next Ryder Cup captain after Colin; he would be a hugely popular selection for two years time in America.