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New expectations for Phil Mickelson
It took Phil Mickelson 14 years to capture his first major and when he finally did it at the U.S. Masters on Sunday, it took just minutes before he was asked when would he lift his second.
Having shed the mantle of best golfer never to have won a major, a beaming Mickelson stood on the 18th green savouring every moment as his 18-foot birdie putt curled into the cup to provide him with a one-shot victory over Ernie Els, lifting the yoke of expectations from his shoulders.
"It feels awesome. I'm so excited," said Mickelson.
"I just -- I have something that I'll remember, I have a memory or an experience that I'll remember (for) the rest of my life.
"I don't feel the relief yet, I really don't. I feel excited, ecstatic, a little disbelief.
"One isn't really a bunch but it's a nice start.
"I hope it does lead to more but right now I just want to cherish this one."
In the coming months, Mickelson's exhilaration will eventually be replaced by new expectations, the monkey again slowly climbing on to his back.
Long recognised as one of the PGA Tour's immense talents, the expectations on the 33-year-old lefthander will not end with his major breakthrough.
To see what the future could hold, Mickelson need look no further than Tiger Woods and the burden the world number one hauls around with him from major to major.
Aged just 28, Woods has scaled golfing heights. But as his fame and achievements have grown so, too, have the expectations.
The winner of eight majors, including three Masters, it is no longer good enough for Woods to merely contend for majors. He must win in order to satisfy, his fans, sponsors and himself.
Even if his moment of glory is brief, Mickelson is determined to bask in his achievement.
"I think having come so close so many times, to have had putts made on me in the last holes to lose by a shot, to have had good last rounds fall short, to have bad last rounds and fall short, to have it be such a difficult journey to win my first major, makes it that much more special, sweeter," said Mickelson.
"I think that winning this tournament, the reason it's so special, is that now I get to be a part of this great event for the rest of my life.
"I'll be back here every first week of April, and I will look forward to this tournament every year for the rest of my life."
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