Despite his initial hesitation, Phil Mickelson proved his own prediction true on Sunday at the 2023 Masters. After opting out of Augusta National Golf Club last year, the 52-year-old golfer surged ahead in the final round with an impressive score of 65, setting a new record and taking the lead with a score of 8 under.
After Mickelson finished his round, he found himself trailing Jon Rahm, who was playing in the final pairing with Brooks Koepka, by two strokes. Mickelson’s impressive 65 tied his career low around Augusta National, which he first achieved in 1996 when he finished behind Nick Faldo and Greg Norman. Not only that, but Mickelson also became the oldest golfer to post a top-five finish at Augusta, and his 65 is the lowest round in Masters history by a golfer over the age of 50. It seems that Mickelson’s prediction of going on a tear was not too far off after all.
“I had so much fun today,” said Mickelson. “I feel like I’ve been hitting these type of quality shots, but I have not been staying focused and present for the upcoming shot, and I make a lot of mistakes. Kind of like you saw on Thursday, and that cost me a bunch of strokes. To come out today and play the way I did and hit the shots when I needed, it’s so much fun. I’m grateful to be a part of this tournament and to be here competing and then to play well, it means a lot.”
Mickelson was paired with Jordan Spieth, a player known for his risky moves, and their chemistry was palpable from the start. Together, they carded a total of 17 birdies, with nine coming from Spieth and eight from Mickelson. Their dynamic injected excitement into Augusta National and the atmosphere was electric.
Despite a slow start, with a birdie and bogey in the first five holes, Mickelson began to show signs of life after hitting a brilliant shot into the par-3 6th hole. He followed it up with another excellent shot on the 7th, resulting in another birdie. However, even with these successes, Mickelson was only 3 under as he turned towards the back nine.
Mickelson was not considered a major contender in the tournament, but he showed his Masters magic once again as he played around Amen Corner. He made a birdie on the challenging par-3 12th and another on the 13th, which helped him play the famous stretch in 2 under and put him at 5 under for the tournament.
Despite Spieth setting the pace, Mickelson tried his best to keep up and even overtake him. They both made birdies on the par-5 15th and two more on the tricky 17th. Going into the final teeing area, Mickelson was one stroke behind Spieth. He hit a remarkable drive, giving it his all. When Spieth was unable to save his par, finishing at 7-under, Mickelson’s 15-foot birdie attempt on the most challenging hole of the course became the center of attention.
Now 19 years from his memorable birdie to seal his first ever Masters (and major championship), Mickelson turned back the clock Suday. As if it was ever a doubt, the six-time major champion’s third and final stroke of the ball found the bottom of the cup sending patrons old and young alike into euphoria.
Clubhouse leader. #themasters pic.twitter.com/knz660UE7F
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2023
More remarkable than the number Lefty posted are the emotions his play can draw still from both him and us.