Phil Mickelson encouraged by start to 2017 at CareerBuilder Challenge

Phil Mickelson feels his game is showing signs of progress after an encouraging start to the year at the CareerBuilder Challenge.

Mickelson finished tied 21st in California, closing with a two-under 70 on the Stadium Course to end the week nine strokes behind winner Hudson Swafford.

The 46-year-old was making his first start since October's Safeway Open and has had two sports hernia operations during the off-season, but believes his golf is in good shape ahead of a busy run on the PGA Tour.

"I think this was a good start for me for the year," Mickelson told Sky Sports. "I'm much further along than I thought I would be.

"I understand that, when you enter a tournament, you want to try to win and certainly that's the goal. But I knew that my game wasn't sharp and I didn't feel like I was ready to win, per se.

"Now I feel like my game's come a long way in the last week. I feel like a couple more good practice days, working on the areas where I was deficient, should lead to a good week next week.

"I'm planning on playing the next four, and I am hopeful that I'll continue to play better as it goes on."

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