Mickelson in confident mood

Last updated: 16th January 2013

Phil Mickelson believes his putting and driving could be better than ever this year as he heads into the Humana Challenge.

The 42-year-old will make his 2013 debut at La Quinta in California this week, and is brimming with confidence after the work he's done on his game during the winter break.

"I've made a couple of really big breakthroughs with putting and driving and this could be my best putting and driving year," said the left-hander.

Mickelson said he'd be sticking to the claw grip he has used on the greens for the past four months, though he does have a new putter in the bag.

"It's helped me not be so technical at address," he said.

"I've been lining up more naturally and hitting more solid putts than I think I ever have in the last few months."

It will be a busy start to the season for Mickelson - the Humana Challenge will be the first of five consecutive tournaments.

Last season he started well with a win at Pebble Beach in February, but then endured a mid-season slump, one that only seemed to come right towards the end of the year when he put in good performances at the Ryder Cup and HSBC Champions.

"Going through that three or four-month stretch of very poor play forced me to go back and analyse what I was doing well," he added.

"Iron play always has been a strong point, but I was having to make two different swings with my driver and irons.

"It was a good stretch for me to go through. My game got better each week all the way through the Ryder Cup and the HSBC Champions."