Phil Mickelson breaks cover to bash Masters | Golf News

Phil Mickelson lamented the modifications made to Augusta National as the three-time Masters champion watched from home on Friday.

Mickelson withdrew forward of the event to have a tendency to a household health matter, but he has stored an eye on proceedings from afar, and he isn’t comfortable with how iconic par-fives 13 and 15 have performed so far.

The heat, dry climate in Georgia has baked the fairways and greens, making them firm and fast, with placing surfaces proving tough to maintain with mid- and long-irons. Bob MacIntyre fell foul of the situations and failed to conceal his rage.

The situations have been significantly impactful on strategy at the fifteenth gap, with many gamers laying up relatively than going for the inexperienced in two, an unusual sight in the trendy day.

Those who have gone for the inexperienced have risked getting a arduous bounce off the placing floor and skipping over the back, where water awaits at the underside of the slope. Both Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Reed have been guilty of that mistake so far.

Augusta National has lengthened both holes in current years to fight gamers hitting the ball additional, but Mickelson believes the alterations have taken away some of the drama.

The six-time major champion posted on social media: “Watching the Masters and seeing so few players long enough to go for 13 and 15 now has taken away so much excitement and intrigue to the back nine. Another example of how longer isn’t always better.”

Mickelson, 55, has performed just once this season since asserting he and his spouse, Amy, needed to be current for a non-public health matter.

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He returned to play LIV Golf’s event in South Africa last month, setting him up to play at Augusta National.

But he announced last week that he’s stepping away from the sport for the foreseeable future.

“Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter.

“I have great respect for Augusta National Golf Club, and it is definitely the most special week of the year. I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching.”