Phil Mickelson aiming to become oldest Masters champion at Augusta

Phil Mickelson feels confident about his chances of making Masters history at Augusta National this week.

Victory for the 47-year-old would make him the oldest player to win the Green Jacket, surpassing Jack Nicklaus who won his sixth title in memorable style back in 1986, when Mickelson was still at high school.

Mickelson has been in impressive form in recent weeks and his play-off win over Justin Thomas at the WGC-Mexico Championship was his first title since clinching The Open at Muirfield in 2013.

The in-form left-hander is now looking to build on his excellent early-season performances as he bids for a fourth Green Jacket, and his first since holding off Lee Westwood and Anthony Kim eight years ago.

"It's been a fun start to the year, and it's been a lot of fun getting back in the winner's circle in Mexico," said Mickelson following his Tuesday practice round with Tiger Woods, Fred Couples and Thomas Pieters. "More than that, it's been fun getting in contention, having opportunities to win and competing at the highest level week‑in and week‑out.

"I think it was important for me to get that first win. I had talked about it, as we head into the Masters, to get that first win out of the way since it had been a while since I had won and to relive the feeling and the pressure of coming down the stretch and be able to not have to deal with that for the first time here at Augusta but also have some success.

"So winning was a big thing for me, especially heading into this week. It validates your ability to perform under pressure. So I've already now performed and executed shots at the highest level under pressure, and doing it at the Masters that final nine is the most difficult time to do it.

"So having the confidence that I've already done it at such a recent moment has been a huge thing. I've said that for every year that I've come here. Every year that I've won here, I had won before. And I think it's an important part of being successful here."

Many high-profile players have been in winning form in 2018 ahead of one of the most wide-open Masters tournaments in recent memory, and Mickelson hopes the focus will be on his rivals as he looks to mount a challenge "under the radar".

"I think there's a lot of players, a lot of the top quality players, young and old, are playing some of their best golf, and I think that's going to lead to one of the most exciting Masters in years," he added.

"I think that these first two majors especially are going to be great opportunities for me because I've not only been playing well but I'm on courses that I'm familiar with and have had some great success in the past. So that leads to managing the game, managing the golf course, managing my game, hopefully effectively, to shoot a low score.

"But I also want to go under the radar, would prefer to go under the radar too. It's a lot easier that way. But when I go under the radar, it usually is because of poor play, and that sucks. So there's kind of a give and take. The fact that I've been playing well leads to some excitement on my half, on my part for this week and down the road at Shinnecock."

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