When Phil Mickelson talks about The Masters, it’s wise to listen.
With three green jackets to his name throughout his illustrious career to date, The Masters will always be intrinsically linked to Phil Mickelson.
And he has not given up on adding more titles to his trophy cabinet.
Phil Mickelson plans to use a new club at the 2025 Masters – a 5-wood with the 13th and 15th holes in mind.
The LIV Golf star, now 54, is still trying to push to boundaries when it comes to improving his game.
His never-ending pursuit of perfection is what has made him so great, and his flamboyant playing style has always been conducive with success at Augusta National.
Now Phil has opened up on why one of his peers is perfectly suited to Georgia’s premier golf course as well.
Why Augusta is perfect for Sergio Garcia according to Phil Mickelson
Sergio Garcia broke his major duck way back in 2017, when he defeated Justin Rose in a play-off on Augusta’s famed 18th green.
The Spaniard, 45, should have won more majors than just the one, and he will know that.
However, Garcia is still very much capable of adding more major trophies to his cabinet. He has been in fine form this season, and already has a LIV win to his name, after dominating the field out in Hong Kong.
The Masters is Sergio Garcia’s second favourite tournament in world golf, behind only The Open.
But can he add another green jacket to his wardrobe this year? Phil Mickelson certainly seems to think so.
The Californian spoke with admiration about how Sergio tamed Augusta eight years ago.
He responded when asked by a journalist if he had to change anything in order to finally win The Masters:
“Actually I’m going to just throw a little comment there on Sergio, too, because from a guy outside looking in, and I’m not Sergio, but it looked like the year he won you managed your emotions when you had a bad break or two much better and didn’t let it get to you. You’ve always had the game.
“You’ve always had the talent. You’ve always driven it so well. You’ve always been such an incredible ball striker. Augusta is a great course for you, and it seemed like when you had a few bad breaks or whatever reason you were just in this calm state of mind where it didn’t affect you, and I thought that was an interesting thing as players to take away, to learn from.“
On paper, Augusta should be absolutely ideal for Garcia, given his driving ability and supremely educated hands around the greens.
Sergio Garcia on what he’s learnt to do differently during Masters week
The fiery Spaniard is now very much an old head when it comes to professional golf.
All those years of playing at the very highest level have clearly given him a very different perspective on the game.
“I think that sometimes we’re competitors and we want to go there and do really well,“ Garcia explained. “But sometimes you cannot get too much in your head, and obviously I had my issues with Augusta when it comes down to that where I’d just get frustrated and maybe feel like I don’t get what I deserve or something like that.
“I think that, like I was saying earlier, it’s important for me to go out there and enjoy the week no matter what and just do it because it’s worth it, because it’s an amazing week and it’s something that — not only for you but for your family. You can create so many amazing memories. It just doesn’t have to be about playing well.
“It’s something that I kind of figured out a little bit last year. On Friday I kind of lost my head a little bit, and because of that it cost me missing the cut. I’m happy to say it; it was all my fault. You have to regroup, and that’s what I’m going to do, and we’ll see. We’ll see what happens next week.
But I just want to go there and really enjoy it because it’s the way it should be.“
Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia both know what it takes to win The Masters around Augusta National.
And despite the lack of fanfare, don’t be surprised if either of them contend this year.
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