Mickelson still has much to play for, including 50-win milestone
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- From the time he won the Northern Telecom Open as a 20-year-old amateur, gingerly juggling that big silver Conquistadors helmet on his head, Phil Mickelson has appeared destined for big things.
Sure, it took him longer than we all expected to win his first major championship -- 43 attempts as a pro, to be exact. Since his breakthrough victory at the 2004 Masters, though, Mickelson has won three more of golf's crown jewels, two at Augusta National and one PGA at Baltusrol.
Election to the World Golf Hall of Fame is a mere formality now. But there is plenty more golf to be played, and judging by Mickelson's comments on Wednesday, he's looking ahead with enthusiasm.
Whether the 40-year-old Mickelson has a Vijay Singh-like fifth decade remains to be seen. The talented Fijian, who has already taken his place among the greats of the game at the shrine in St. Augustine, won 22 of his 34 PGA TOUR events after turning the big 4-0.
Make no mistake, though. Mickelson has goals and in a particularly introspective mood on Wednesday prior to the Waste Management Phoenix Open as he shared that win No. 50 was among them.
"I'm 12 away," he said. "I really think that's an attainable goal and maybe in a short period of time. That's something that I would like to do. I just think it has a magic ring to it, and to be able to do it in this day and age would be a great accomplishment. That's one of my goals as well as to play well in the major championships."
Ahh, the majors. Should he successfully defend his title at Augusta National in April, Mickelson would tie Tiger Woods with four Green Jackets, second only to Jack Nicklaus with six. And the PGA returns to the Atlanta Athletic Club where Mickelson finished second to David Toms in 2001.
But the U.S. Open has been more problematic for a player who's clearly become the people's choice. He's finished as the runner-up in America's national championship a record five times without winning the ultimate prize. And Mickelson only has one top-10 at the British Open, which could be his biggest obstacle if he is to join just five others with a career Grand Slam.
"The Masters is a tournament that I just love," Mickelson said. "I'd love to keep trying to add to the three victories I've had there, and also it would be something if I could somehow get a win in the U.S. and British Open and get a career slam, although that's going to be very challenging for me."
Mickelson's last major championship was also his 38th and most recent victory. Making it even sweeter was the fact that his wife Amy, who has battled breast cancer for the last 19 months, was well enough to be there at the 18th green that Sunday to share in the moment.
Mickelson had a health scare of his own last year when he was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. But he's found the right medication to ease the symptoms, as well as a more balanced diet borne of a five-month flirtation with a vegan lifestyle that one of the TOUR's most avowed carnivores now jokes was "doomed" to fail.
In recent months, Amy has felt strong enough to take a December anniversary getaway to Egypt, as well as accompany Phil and their three kids to Abu Dhabi where he opened his 2011 season. And she walked 63 of his 72 holes last week at the Farmers Insurance Open -- joining his gallery for the first time since the 2009 PLAYERS Championship.
Mickelson finished second there, one stroke behind Bubba Watson, and exhibited a comfort level with Torrey Pines that had been missing since the 2001 redesign. He played with his head, as well as his big heart, and Mickelson appears primed to make another bid for win No. 39 at TPC Scottsdale this week, where he already has two titles.
"We're in a lot better place," he acknowledged. "The last three, four, five months have been really good, and so we're excited. Amy and I are excited are where we've come to and excited about 2011.
"I feel like my game is pretty sharp. Last week I played well, wasn't quite enough, but I played well, and I feel like it's going to get better as these weeks come on, and I'm excited about my opportunity here in Phoenix."
The personal turmoil of the last 19 months, interestingly, appears to have only increased Mickelson's desire to perform. He vowed last week that he wanted to make 2011 the year he had hoped 2010 would be when he opened with a win at the Masters. So far, he's seems off to a good start and gaining more momentum this would will be huge.
"In the last year and a half I realized how much I love golf and how much I have used it throughout my life as a way of dealing with things on and off the golf course," Mickelson said. "It's a place where I'm at peace and it's a place that I am constantly wanting to be.
"And so even though it's been my job in theory for many years, I've never felt like it's a job. I love the game of golf. I love the opportunity to compete."
This week, and for many, many more.
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