AUGUSTA, Ga. – There’s someone in contention at the Masters who has multiple green jackets and it isn’t Tiger Woods.
It’s Phil Mickelson, Woods’ longtime rival, who is only three shots off the lead and searching for his fourth green jacket, which would match Woods’ total.
Mickelson sounded upbeat Thursday after a first-round 74 and many wondered if this would be his week. It may be. He made six birdies – including on 18 for the second consecutive day – and two bogeys Friday to shoot 68 and is only three shots behind leaders Jason Dufner and Fred Couples.
“I played well and shot something in the 60s that got me back in the tournament,” Mickelson said. “I was hoping for one or two more under, but that birdie on 18 felt terrific to finish that way.”
The biggest difference between the two rounds, according to Mickelson, was that when he did hit a poor shot, he didn’t leave it in the wrong spot. He left it in areas where he could get up and down and let his short game save him.
“I feel like Saturday is the day you can really make a move,” he said. “Tomorrow will be a critical day. If I make a move, they get to see those numbers being posted ahead of them, and that’s not always easy.”