Masters champion Phil Mickelson hopes to kick-start his 2005 season this week when he defends his title at the $4,7-million Bob Hope Classic that starts in California on Wednesday on four desert golf courses.
Mickelson’s triumph in California last year ended an 18-month victory drought and launched a roll that included his first major title, at Augusta in April.
He shot a 30-under-par 330 in the five-round event and edged Skip Kendall on the first playoff hole for the victory.
Last week, Mickelson made his season debut at the Buick Invitational in La Jolla, California, but was never a factor. He finished tied for 56th as Tiger Woods won his first stroke-play event in 16 months.
Woods, the world’s second-ranked golfer, is not entered this week.
Nor is world number one Vijay Singh of Fiji, or number three Ernie Els and number four Retief Goosen, both of South Africa.
Mickelson has won two of the last three tournaments in California. Fellow left-hander Mike Weir of Canada won in 2003 to make this tournament the only one on tour to be won by left-handers three times in a row.
While the field will be missing a number of the world’s best, the senior circuit will be well represented. This week’s entry list includes six players who are Champions Tour eligible. Jay Haas, Peter Jacobsen, Tom Kite, Mark McCumber, Craig Stadler and Lanny Wadkins all will tee up in the desert.
Haas, whose son, Bill, also is entered, traditionally has played well in California but has had little to show for it. In his past four starts in the Bob Hope, Haas is 100-under-par but has not won.
The winner figures to go very low. Last year, there were 61 rounds of 65 or better, including a 60 by Robert Gamez in the third round on the Indian Wells course.
The event will be played on four par-72 courses, the Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA West, Tamarisk Country Club, Bermuda Dunes Country Club and La Quinta Country Club. — Sapa-AFP