Mickelson misses Tiger

bruced
April 9, 2014

Phil Mickelson admits he will miss Tiger Woods at the Masters this weekend.

The famous lefty revealed that it would be “weird” competing in a field without the 14 time Major winner.

“It’s a weird feeling not having him here, isn’t it?” Mickelson told ESPN.

“He’s been such a mainstay in professional golf and the majors. It’s awkward to not have him here. I hope he gets back soon. I mean, I hope he’s back for the other majors, and as much as I want to win and I know how great he is and tough to beat it … it also makes it special when he’s in the field and you’re able to win.”

Mickelson, a three time winner at Augusta, continued to sing Woods’ praises, stating that he shaped the course of the professional golf.

“I remember when I was an amateur and I won my first tournament in Tucson in 1991, the entire purse was $1 million, first place was $180,000 and Steve [Loy, my agent] and I would sit down and say, ‘I wonder if in my lifetime, probably not in my career, we would have play for a $1 million first-place check.’ [Now] it’s every week. It’s unbelievable the growth of this game.”

“And Tiger has been the instigator,” continued the 43-year-old.

“He’s been the one that’s really propelled and driven the bus because he’s brought increased ratings, increased sponsors, increased interest and we have all benefited, but nobody has benefited more than I have, and we’re all appreciative. That’s why we miss him so much; we all know what he’s meant to the game.”

Meanwhile, Mickelson has had a troubled start to the year after withdrawing after two rounds at the Farmers Insurance Open then suffering again at the Valero Texas Open, where he pulled a muscle in the third round.

However, the Californian bounced back to complete the Shell Houston Open last week and finished an 18-hole practice round at Augusta on Tuesday.

Last week I felt great,” revealed thew 42-time PGA Tour winner.

“I was surprised because I had a pulled muscle in Texas and I felt great all four rounds. I had been doing physic ball work and stuff to strengthen my back every morning, every night, for weeks and weeks to make sure that I enter this week feeling good, healthy and I’m able to swing as hard as I want and hit the shots that I need to try and hit.”

Mickelson will tee off with Ernie Els and Justin Rose for the first two rounds of the Masters, starting on Thursday.

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