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Phil Mickelson upbeat after shooting 67
Phil Mickelson expressed
cautious optimism at the prospects of winning his first major after
taking full advantage of favourable conditions on Thursday's opening
day of the Masters.
The Californian left-hander,
who has had four top-10 finishes in eight Masters appearances, shot
six birdies in a five-under 67.
"I felt that today was
the day to score low because the greens were fairly receptive due
to the rain we have had," said the world number two. "As the week
goes on it will become progressively more difficult.
"In past years when I played
a good round it was sometimes hit or miss. I don't feel that way,
I don't have the anxiety or doubt as to what is going to happen
tomorrow.
"I feel very confident
that I will be able to come out tomorrow and play well again and
hit good golf shots and make good decisions."
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Phil
Mickelson putting on the 18th green. Allsport.
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Mickelson, who had admitted
in the run up to the Masters that he was disappointed not to have
won a major at the age of 30, said he had been satisfied with his
form on Thursday.
"I didn't really do too
much with the first nine holes," he said. "I started to feel a little
bit better at the turn."
Mickelson bogeyed the 11th
to go level before reeling off four birdies in succession followed
by another at the par-four 17th.
"This golf course is difficult,
period," he said. "Because of all the moisture it's the least difficult
that it plays. The greens get firmer, the defence mechanism of the
course gets harder."
Mickelson agreed that Augusta
National represented his best chance of winning a major.
"This tournament is very
consistent," he said. "Chipping and putting is the biggest part
of this tournament. So I feel like this golf course fits very comfortably
with my game. I like the way the holes shape."
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