Mickelson regains touch at Hope
Phil Mickelson started his campaign for comeback player of the year Sunday, ending a 19-month victory drought in large part because he figured out how to play smart and aggressive at the same time.
Coming off his worst year on and off the course, Mickelson saw a rigid offseason regimen pay big dividends at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He toned down his aggression off the tee by leaving the driver in the bag on trouble holes (though that strategy backfired on him a couple times), but his biggest improvement was from 100 yards and in.
The flaws in Phil Mickelson's short game were somewhat overlooked last year, overshadowed by his even bigger problems off the tee. He finished dead last on the PGA Tour in driving accuracy, hitting the fairway less than half the time. But he also finished 150th in the all-important scrambling category, which measures a player's ability to escape from sticky situations. Finding creative ways out of trouble around the green had been a Mickelson trademark in years past, but his putter and wedge game faltered in 2003.
It returned in a big way in his 2004 debut thanks to an offseason cram session and hours of practice. Along with dropping a few pounds this winter, Mickelson turned to instructor Dave Pelz to regain his touch from inside 100 yards.
| Around the tours ... |
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 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Site: La Quinta, Calif. Courses: PGA West, Arnold Palmer Course (6,931 yards, par 72) Bermuda Dunes CC (6,927 yards, par 72) Indian Wells CC (6,478 yards, par 72) La Quinta CC (7,060 yards, par 72) Top finishers: 1-x Phil Mickelson (-30) 2 Skip Kendall 3 Jay Haas 4 Jonathan Kaye T5 Ben Crane T5 Jesper Parnevik T5 Kenny Perry 8 Bernhard Langer T9 Rodney Pampling T9 Chris Riley T9 Harrison Frazar T9 Kent Jones T9 Kirk Triplett T9 Paul Azinger T9 J.L. Lewis x-won in playoff
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The work paid off quicker than he could have expected, particularly late in the final round. He got up and down for birdie twice from the deep greenside rough on the par-5 18th, the first to force a playoff with Skip Kendall and the second (on the first extra hole) to win the tournament a half-hour later.
Mickelson also showed great touch from a bit farther out, averaging an 18-foot birdie putt for every green in regulation (the best in the field) at the Hope, where firing at pins is the only way to survive. He also ranked sixth in putting, though his flat stick sputtered a bit in the final round.
Off the tee, Mickelson showed the patience that was missing in 2003, using his 1-iron instead of driver on holes where mistakes would mean penalty strokes. He hit 72 percent of the fairways, more than 20 percent better than his 2003 average. And while the Bob Hope isn't exactly known for its narrow landing areas, the improvement is worth noting.
Perhaps just as important, Mickelson has his signature swagger back.
"It's terrific. I can't wait to do it again. I want it next week," said Mickelson, who will play in this week's FBR Open in Scottsdale, Ariz. "I just have so much fun when I'm playing well.
"Not having been there last year, I realize how much I missed it."
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| Kendall |
The 39-year-old is still looking for his first victory on the PGA Tour despite an impressive rally Sunday to force a playoff with Phil Mickelson. It was the fourth runner-up finish of his 16-year career, and the third time he has lost in a playoff.
Among active players, only Jay Delsing (474 starts without a win) has played in more events without a victory than Kendall, who dropped to 0-for-294 with the loss at the Bob Hope.
"I played my heart out," Kendall said after the round. "It's hard to take, but I'm glad I was there.
"I'm getting older, too, and I feel like I'm still progressing as a player. People sometimes ask me, 'Well, what's been your highlight in golf?' I say, 'Stay tuned.'"
Coming off a season that saw 11 players 40 or older post victories, the veterans flexed their muscles in the third event of the 2004 season. Ten of the top 19 finishers at the Bob Hope were 39 or older, including some of the usual suspects from last year. Some of the oldies but goodies:
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| Haas |
Haas, who has a realistic shot at making the U.S. Ryder Cup team, has said he'll play on the PGA Tour until at least April before deciding whether he'll shift his focus to the Champions Tour.
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| Zoeller |
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| Nicklaus |
Nearly as impressive in defeat was Jack Nicklaus, who four days after his 64th birthday shot a 67 to Sunday finish sixth, five strokes off the lead. Nicklaus shot 68 and 66 in his first and second rounds, respectively, marking the first time he has posted three scores in the 60s in a 54-hole Champions Tour event.
''I had some nice putts. I hit some great shots. I drove the ball well,'' Nicklaus said. ''I certainly have nothing to complain about.
''It's been a long time since I've been in contention in a golf tournament and it was kind of fun.''
Seventy-four-year-old Arnold Palmer, beginning his 50th season in professional golf, finished last at 11-over but received some of the biggest ovations of the week.
David Lefort is ESPN.com's golf editor, and he can be reached at david.m.lefort@espn3.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
