Mickelson feeling better after surgery
American golfer Phil Mickelson is expecting big things this week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale having recovered from two hernia surgeries late last year.
Mickelson, a winner of the Phoenix Open in 1996, 2005 and 2013, feels that he is now ready to get back to 100% this upcoming week and focus on winning again, this, after his last two outings where he finished tied for 21st at the CareerBuilder Challenge and tied for 14th in the Farmers Insurance Open.
In an interview ahead of Thursday's Scottsdale tournament, the 46-year-old Mickelson – who is backed at 28/1 to win the 2017 Masters – said he felt that he played better than expected in the first two events, saying: "My game came around quicker than I thought it would and I felt the best place to sharpen it and to see where I was at was to play last week and this week."
"I'm really glad I did (play) because my touch is starting to come around a little bit," the five-time Major winner said. "The sensitivity to shot-making, chipping, putting on Tour%u2011caliber greens and rough and things that you can't replicate at your home course is getting sharper because I did play these last two weeks."
He'll play the next three weeks, too, heading to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am next week and the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club north of Los Angeles the week after that. He hasn't played at Riviera since 2013.
At 46 with a world ranking of 20, Mickelson feels that he is in better shape these days than he was 10 years ago and credits golf swing coach Andrew Getson with the big improvement.
"I am really pleased with the way that I'm swinging the club and I feel really good," he said. "This is the best I've swung in a while, and I'm excited about these upcoming events and hopefully I'll put it all together.
"Currently I'm probably 75, 80% percent of where I was before (the surgeries), and it's slowly coming back. I'm now six weeks removed, so I should be pretty much 100% here fairly quickly."
Latest
-
NewsOn this day in 2014 – Europe retain Ryder Cup with Gleneagles victory
The Gleneagles victory was Europe’s eighth win in 10 matches.
-
European Tour‘Is this where I am going to die?’ Nicolas Colsaerts on kidney disorder battle
The Belgian is the focus of attention this week as he belatedly defends the Cazoo Open de France title he won three years ago.
-
Ryder CupOn this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe team
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
LIV GolfOpen champion Cameron Smith wins first LIV trophy in just second start
The world number two is the highest-ranked player to join the rebel series.
-
European TourRobert MacIntyre beats Matt Fitzpatrick in play-off to win Italian Open
MacIntyre birdied the first extra hole at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, the venue for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
European TourMatt Fitzpatrick holds narrow lead ahead of final round at Italian Open
Rory McIlroy and Aaron Rai are one shot off the pace.
-
European TourRory McIlroy picks up the pace to claim lead ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick in Rome
McIlroy’s group looked unlikely to complete their second rounds after taking three hours to play nine holes.
-
NewsMatt Fitzpatrick leads way at Italian Open despite ‘inconsistent’ display
The US Open champion held a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tom Lewis,
-
European TourRory McIlroy rues a late night until eagle gets him flying in Italian Open
The four-time major winner was only a shot behind leader Matt Fitzpatrick after the first round of the Rome event.
-
European TourRory McIlroy begins Italian Open with superb 67 after recovering from slow start
He kick-started his round by holing out from 115 yards for an eagle on the par-four third.