Mickelson's Masters Disaster: Round One

Can Phil Mickelson still win the Masters? I think a better question would be, “Will Mickelson make the weekend?”

Lefty’s card on Masters.org is very colorful showing four bogeys, one double and two birdies on the first nine holes. There were a couple of pars afterwards but his performance at Amen Corner spoke volumes.

Shoulders hunched over and repeatedly shaking his head, Mickelson looked as if he had just walked off the 18th green of Winged Foot on Sunday after that memorable U.S. Open blow-up.

Imagine landing on the green in two at “Azalea” poised for an eagle then three-putting and walking away with par! C’mon Phil, that’s not the way to make a comeback!

Rays of hope came about on 15 and 16 as Lefty made back-to-back birdies but the damage had already been done. With damage control on the last two holes, Mickelson came in with a 76. There’s still hope, but it’s a shame it took him so long to find himself.

As a consolation to Phil, Tiger Woods scored just two strokes better in round one of the 2005 Masters and came away victorious.

If Mickelson fails to make the weekend, will he stick around in true Masters fashion to place the green jacket on the winner?