Phil Mickelson’s impressive victory on Sunday at the 70th Masters moved him halfway toward a ”Lefty Slam”, although the southpaw United States star is not ready to ponder a four-major sweep just yet.
Mickelson’s second Masters triumph in three years combined with his win at last August’s PGA Championship leave him only a US Open and British Open shy of matching Tiger Woods’ feat of four major titles in a row.
While it would not be in the same calendar year, just as the ”Tiger Slam” of 2000 and 2001 was not a traditional ”Grand Slam”, Mickelson has a shot at both starting with the US Open at Winged Foot in June.
”Let’s settle down Grand Slam talk and stuff,” Mickelson said. ”The Tiger Slam, to hold all four majors at once, that’s just one of the most incredible feats in the game.”
While Mickelson (35) said he has not started contemplating his golf legacy, he is happy to be discussing such topics rather than the 0-for-46 major drought he snapped by winning his first Masters at Augusta National two years ago.
”I don’t think about leaving a legacy,” Mickelson said. ”I just try to play well, compete and hopefully win. It’s nice I at least started because two years ago I wasn’t and now I’ve got a nice little start.”
Mickelson admitted that the joy of winning his third title in nine majors will be short-lived.
”Starting tomorrow, I’ll start preparing for Winged Foot,” he said.
During his drought, Mickelson was known for stubbornly smashing balls as long as possible. He toned back his distance, focused on accuracy and relaxed two years ago and the result has been major.
”I started to play a little differently, to control my game, ball flight, putting,” Mickelson said, citing an example of learning that settling for par at Augusta’s par-5 15th beat trying to force a shot and taking bogey or worse.
”It’s OK to make par on 15. It’s not going to kill me,” Mickelson said. ”Things like that I’ve picked up over the years. It’s not something you pick up all at once. It takes a few years. I practiced hard but maybe not on the right things.”
But Mickelson has learned his lessons well. His greatest satisfaction in how he won Sunday was in how he protected the lead through 18 difficult holes, surrendering his only bogey on the 18th when he had three shots to spare.
”There were some tough holes I was able to make par on and some birdie holes I was able to captialize on,” Mickelson said. ”I’m most proud I didn’t let people back into it, I made them come and get it with birdies.
”It gives me an incredible feeling of accomplishment to come out on top this week.”
Fred Couples, Mickelson’s playing partner for the final round, has been impressed with ”Lefty’s” evolution as a golfer.
”He’s a much better player than he was five years ago,” Couples said. ”There is no doubt he has changed.
”He is an incredible player. There’s no doubt. He has got more talent than maybe anyone out here in his hands and his game. You’ve obviously got Tiger but you’ve got Ernie Els and Retief [Goosen] and those are great players.
”But I think Phil can overpower a golf course like Tiger can.”
That’s just something to keep in mind in June at Winged Foot or in July at the British Open at Hoylake. – AFP
