Mickelson's thoughts on Augusta & his preparation

With three green jackets hanging his wardrobe, Phil Mickelson knows his way around Augusta National better than most these days.

So for him to take exception to some of the conditions at Augusta National this week, has some wondering if he is right.

In his press conference yesterday, Mickelson went into a few details on what his thoughts were on the current conditions after the weather system had blown through Augusta.

Also, what his preparation work entails before he heads up to Magnolia Lane.

Asked about his five days of preparation for The Masters and what it does for him coming to Augusta.

"It allows me to relearn the course and to execute a lot of the shots that I will be hitting throughout the week." Mickelson said.

"It usually gets magnified at tournament time, meaning the course will get a little bit firmer, faster greens, and will get a little bit firmer and tighter around the greens."

"I don't know if that's going to happen this week. It seems that some of the planning I have made may go by the wayside. As soft as the golf course is, you can fire at a lot of the pins. The greens are soft. I don't want to say they are slow, but it's just not the same Augusta."

"It's wet around the greens, and there's no fear of the course. You've got to attack it this week.
Unless something changes, and I know they have Sub Air and hopefully they will be able to use it, but unless they change it, it's going to be a birdie‑fest."

In many ways, Mickelson is of course correct. With softer greens, the guys that can control their distances better than others can really go at the pin placements, and go low.

He continued to discuss the conditions, and if was disappointing not see the 'regular' conditions at Augusta?

"When the subtleties don't come out, the experience of playing here in the past is not as important"; said Mickelson, "because you don't have to fear the greens and you don't have to know where the ball will end up and you don't have to fear certain shots because you can get up‑and‑down from the edges."

"Those shots are not as hard. Therefore, I think there's a very good chance that a young player, inexperienced, fearless player that attacks this golf course can win if you don't need to show it the proper respect."

Mickelson went on to talk about certain areas of his game, that he was focusing more on, heading into The Masters.

"I guess it wouldn't really be one particular area, but if it were putting, it would be lag putting." The three-time champion said.

"If it were chipping, it would actually be putting from off the green rather than lob shots; and 50 yard shots. I find I don't hit too many shots from off the green; I end up putting off the green."

"I do these a little bit more in my practice than I would normally. And then distance‑wise, I go after it as hard as I will ever swing this one week of the year."