Two lights-out back nines by guys in their 40s
How good was Phil Mickelson’s back nine 30 in the third round of the Masters? Here’s a comparison with another famous 30 on Augusta’s back nine – that turned in by Jack Nicklaus in the final round in 1986 at age 46. Nicklaus shot a 65 that day, Mickelson a 66 today.
The Masters record for the back nine (29) is shared by Mark Calcavecchia (1992) and David Toms (1998).
Nicklaus 1986 (fourth round)
No. 10 – birdie 3 (25-footer)
No. 11 – birdie 3 (20-footer)
No. 12 – bogey 4 (missed green, missed 6-footer for par)
No. 13 – birdie 4 (two putts from 30 feet)
No. 14 – par 4 (chip to within a foot)
No. 15 – eagle 3 (12-footer)
No. 16 – birdie 2 (3-footer)
No. 17 – birdie 3 (12-footer)
No. 18 – par 4 (two putts from 40 feet)
Mickelson 2012 (third round)
No. 10 – birdie 3 (5-footer)
No. 11 – par 4
No. 12 – birdie 2 (20-footer)
No. 13 – eagle 3 (12-footer)
No. 14 – par 4
No. 15 – birdie 4 (5-footer)
No. 16 – par 3 (two putts from off the green)
No. 17 – par 4 (missed 15-footer for birdie)
No. 18 – birdie 3 (15-footer)
