Lefty has played the last seven holes in 11-under
Augusta National is the ultimate risk/reward golf course. Phil Mickelson is the ultimate risk/reward player. Put the two together and you have what happened Saturday at Augusta.
With a back nine 30, Mickelson electrified the Masters on Saturday, setting up the potential for even more memorable stuff on Sunday as he pursues his fourth green jacket.
The risk/reward elements of Augusta kick in on the back nine. That’s where Mickelson has thrived in this tournament. He has played the last seven holes in an aggregate 11-under-par. On the back nine par-5s, Mickelson has made five birdies and one eagle. He also has birdied No. 18 — the second toughest hole on the course in the first three rounds (4.35 stroke average) — all three days.
How much does Mickelson love No. 13, where he made an eagle on Saturday? In 77 Masters rounds, Mickelson has played the hole in 63-under-par, making nine eagles.
The shot that defines the career of Mickelson came at No. 13 in 2010 when he hit an ill-advised 6-iron off pine straw, between two trees, and to within six feet of a pin set on the front of a green protected by Rae’s Creek. Mickelson went on to win the Masters that day.
If there’s a hole not to miss on Sunday, it’s Mickelson playing No. 13.
