Phil Mickelson feels amped up after first round of Humana
LA QUINTA, CALIF. -- More fit and less frustrated than the last time we saw him, Phil Mickelson completed his first round of official play since the September Ryder Cup on Thursday, firing an uneven round of 1-under 71 at the Humana Challenge.
Mickelson was in a positive mood after his round at La Quinta Country Club, despite a score that placed him well behind the leaders.
An increased focus on physical fitness during a longer-than-normal offseason has Mickelson brimming with confidence.
"My body hasn't felt this good in years and I have not been able to swing the club this fast in years, and I'm excited about what's going to take place this year," Mickelson said after a round that included four birdies and three bogeys.
Mickelson is coming off one of the worst years in his career. It was a 2014 that included no victories and only a memorable second-place finish to Rory McIlroy in the dark at the PGA Championship.
History shows that a bounce-back year may be in the cards. The last time Mickelson went an entire year without a PGA Tour win was 2003. He followed that up with a fantastic 2004, starting with a win at this event and highlighted by his major breakthrough at the Masters.
He said he feels ready for a similar reversal of fortunes.
"I was really amped up. I've been amped up the last three days that I've been here in Palm Springs getting ready and I just couldn't wait to start," he said. "Unfortunately, I didn't shoot the number I wanted, but it's the first round of a long year and I know where my game is at. The score just didn't reflect it, but hopefully the next few days will."
Mickelson's round did include a few flashes of brilliance, including holing out a bunker shot for birdie on the fourth hole.
"I had one of those bunker shots where you're looking almost eye level at the green, like Paul Azinger made at Memorial where you feel like if you can get it on line, it will roll like a putt," he said. "I hit a good bunker shot and it had a chance and went in. It was a good feeling."
Mickelson didn't have a good feeling the last time he left a golf course after a competitive round. Frustrated by the United States' listless Ryder Cup effort in September, Mickelson made his displeasure known during a post-match news conference.
Since then, a Ryder Cup task force has been created and Mickelson is on it. He said the one meeting they've had so far and the people in the room have him excited.
"It's the first time that players have really been involved in the decision-making process from the start," Mickelson said. "I think it's going to be a very impactful experience after all. ... Who knows if it will bring the results we want or not, but there's a lot of good, smart people in there and we're moving forward trying to make this work."