The three-time Masters champion admitted to being concerned about his pre-tournament form as he bids for a fourth green jacket at Augusta National
Phil Mickelson has admitted to feeling nervous ahead of The Masters after an inauspicious start to the 2014 season.
Surprisingly, Mickelson hasn't recorded a top 10 on the PGA Tour since The Barclays in August 2013.
As well as a run of indifferent form, Mickelson was forced to withdraw from the Valero Texas Open with a pulled abdominal muscle, although he declared himself fully fit at last week's Shell Houston Open.
"I'm always nervous about this week because I always like coming into this week with a win earlier in the season," said Mickelson, who has won before The Masters every year since 2010.
"I like coming into this week being in contention a few times and having that confidence and experience to build on. But I have to give myself a little bit of slack, because I haven't been 100 percent.
"I haven't had the results to fall back on. I haven't experienced the pressure to feel comfortable in that environment, and so I'm certainly nervous, because it's the week I care about the most."
The 43-year-old claimed his first Major Championship - and first Masters title - 10 years ago, and added two more green jackets in 2006 and 2010.
"It's a magical place to begin with but for me personally the feeling that comes over me as I drive down Magnolia Lane is I don't have to play perfect to play well here, because I can recover from mistakes here.
"You always have a shot. You always have chance to salvage your par. You have a chance to let your short game save it for you. And if I do hit a number of good shots, I'm able to make birdies."
Despite his uninspiring form, the popular American - who is paired with Ernie Els and Justin Rose for the first two rounds - has plenty of positive memories to feed off.
"I just love everything about this tournament. That win 10 years ago, it just propelled me. And I knew once I won one, I really felt confident I would win a few more."
-
Golf’s Atypical Photo Shoot Exposes Traditions And Why Some Are Holding The Sport BackOur women's editor, Alison Root, reflects on the challenges of mastering golf's rules and etiquette
-
WHS Quiz! How Well Do You Understand The World Handicap System?We have 15 questions to test your understanding of the WHS...
-
Who Has Won The Most Money At The Masters?Jack Nicklaus has won the most Green Jackets in history and Tiger Woods is the most successful champion in the modern era - but the answer is neither of those two...
-
Phil Mickelson What’s In The Bag? 2024 UpdateLefty is no stranger to tinkering with his equipment line-up and playing with older clubs. Let's see what he's using in 2024
-
Who Hit It Further - Tiger Woods Or Phil Mickelson?Both Woods and Mickelson are considered greats of the game - but we look at who hit the ball further using average driving distances and their outright longest drives
-
Where Is The 2024 US Open?The 2024 tournament takes place at a venue that has become synonymous with the Major over the past quarter of a century
-
Which LIV Golfers Have Won The US Open?The six LIV players to have won the US Open - and a look back at their victories
-
Which LIV Golf Players Have Qualified For The US Open?A total of 15 LIV Golf players are eligible for the 2023 US Open at The Los Angeles Country Club
-
Report: LIV Golf Trio Interviewed By US Justice DepartmentThe three LIV golfers have been interviewed along with lawyers from the PGA Tour
-
Which LIV Golfers Have Won The Masters?Six LIV Golf players have worn the Green Jacket after claiming victory in the Augusta National Major
