Mickelson: “I’m ashamed of my poor performance”

Ahead of the Saudi International kicking off this week, Phil Mickelson met the media for the first time since last fall and in many ways he was the new Mickelson who seemed to be answering questions ahead of the 2023 season. He has lost a lot of weight, feels in good physical condition and expects an even better season from 2022. .

– It’s like day and night compared to last year. I consider the past year an anomaly that I just forget. 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 prepared from the start. I am active and in great physical shape, I am about the same weight as I was in college which helps me recover faster. In terms of training, I’m becoming more efficient and spending less time training, Mickelson explained, but all sessions contain a higher quality.

We can also expect to see more of Mickelson on social media again. After last year’s turmoil, he chose to completely relax for a long time, but recently he has been seen more and more.

– I still need to be a little bit careful because of all the things going on on the golf course side – I can’t say exactly what I want right now – but later in the year when things have cleared up I hope to be more present.

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

– The last round was great entertainment. Patrick got a great finish while Rory didn’t find his best match, but managed to come back to the final holes to win. It shows what a great champion he is and what kind of player he is. I expect LIV players to win the target in the UK and be able to continue playing on the DP World Tour and golf needs this kind of drama and duels between the best players in the future.

Winning the 2021 PGA Championship on Kiawah Island gives Mickelson the opportunity to focus on the majors in the next few years, something he will do with full steam.

– It is my motivation now to be able to create the kind of magic that happened to me on Kiawah Island. Age means I have to think a little differently and practice for the things that challenge me but I am confident that I will be able to play my best golf in the years to come and the courses ahead suit me well. I can’t wait to return to Liverpool FC this summer. Tiger, Rory and other major champions have won there and I’ve had good results there too. Augusta is of course my all-time favorite and I can’t wait to go back there.