Mickelson: "I'm ashamed of how badly I played"

Ahead of this week’s Saudi International, Phil Mickelson met the media for the first time last fall, and the new Mickelson appeared in many ways to answer questions ahead of the 2023 season. He has lost a lot of weight, is in good shape and is looking for a better season than 2022.

– It’s like night and day compared to last year. Last year I considered it a clutter that I had forgotten. I wasn’t ready for the season, I wasn’t ready when I came back and I’m ashamed of how bad I played. But this year I will be ready from the start. I’m active and in great shape, and I’m the same weight I was in college, which helps me recover faster. In terms of training, I have become more efficient and spend less time training, but there is a higher quality in all sessions, Mickelson explained.

Expect to see Michelson again on social media. After last year’s tumult, he chose to rest completely for a long time, but recently he has been seen more often.

– I have to be a little more careful because all the things that are happening on the golf course side – I can’t say exactly what I want right now – but if things settle down later in the year, I hope to do it more now.

Mickelson also shared that he enjoyed watching the battle for victory between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed at the Dubai Desert Classic. And he hopes and expects more matches in 2023 with the same vein.

– The last round is great entertainment. Patrick had an incredible finish, while Rory didn’t find his best game, but he still managed to get to the final holes for the win. It shows what a great champion and what kind of player he is. I expect the LIV players to win the target in England and they can continue to play on the DP World Tour and golf needs that kind of drama and battles between the best players going forward.

A win at the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island gives Mickelson a chance to focus on the majors for the next few years, something he’ll do at full strength.

– My motivation now is to build on the magic that happened to me on Kiawah Island. Age means I have to think a little differently and practice things that limit me, but I believe I can play my best golf in the coming years and the upcoming courses will suit me well. I can’t wait to return to Royal Liverpool this summer. Tiger and Rory and other major champions have won there and I’ve had good results there too. Augusta is definitely my favorite of all and I’m dying to get back there.