AUGUSTA, Ga. — The theme of the 2023 Masters Tournament was its champions.
Larry Mize and Sandy Lyle called it a career. Tiger Woods and Fred Couples both slid under the cut line and a three-time champion forced his way into the conversation Sunday.
Phil Mickelson experienced a youthful resurgence at Augusta National Golf Club, carding a final-round 65 to finish the day near the top of the leaderboard. Mickelson recorded eight birdies in his remarkable round, including five over his final seven holes and tied Brooks Koepka for second at 8 under.
Did it bring back memories of his last Masters victory in 2010?
“I don’t know,” Mickelson said. “That’s hard to say. That was a long time ago.”
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The premise can be up for debate. What’s not up is that Mickelson looked better at Augusta Sunday than he has in a number of years. He played the first three rounds 71-69-75. He said he felt like quality shots were there, but the results were absent. One major change?
He found himself having more fun during the final round. Which may sound off-putting, but remember Mickelson started 26 of the previous 29 Masters tournaments, so missing Augusta in 2022 seemed to weigh more heavily on him than he let it be known. Past winners noted he flew under the radar at the Champions Dinner.
Sunday afternoon seemed like a return to normalcy for Mickelson.
“To come out today and play the way I did and hit the shots when I needed, it’s so much fun,” he said. “I’m grateful to be a part of this tournament and to be here competing and then to play well, it means a lot.”
A round of 65 worthy of a roar. #themasters pic.twitter.com/dtxW6OER4M
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2023
Competing in a major of this caliber when most players Mickelson’s age are finding their footing on the PGA Tour Champions is a rare feat. The 63-year-old Couples became the oldest player to ever make a Masters cut this week, so there could be a lot in front of the 52-year-old Mickelson.
“Today is hopefully a stepping stone to really kick start the rest of the year and continue some great play because I have a unique opportunity,” he said. “At 52, no physical injuries, no physical problems, being able to swing a club the way I want to, to do things in the game that not many people have had a chance to do later in life.”
Taking it a step further, he says this weekend was more of a confirmation of what he’s been working on as of late.
“Yeah, it just reaffirms that I knew I was close. I’ve been hitting quality shots. This doesn’t feel like a fluke. It wasn’t like I hit shots I haven’t been hitting,” he said. “I stayed present and didn’t make loose swings or those bad swings at an inopportune time. I stayed very present and calm throughout, then executed and had a blast. Like this is so much fun.
“Again, we’re all grateful that we’re able to play and compete here, and I think it’s tremendous for this tournament to have all the best players in the world here. Then as a past champion, to be able to still be a part of it, it means a lot.”
While the LIV vs. PGA showdown will surely continue, stories of past champions catching fire will more often than not be a welcomed sight at Augusta National.
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