Phil Mickelson welcomes Augusta storm clouds

Phil Mickelson is relishing the poor weather conditions being forecast for the first two rounds of the Masters and the prospect of less experienced players shooting themselves out of contention at Augusta National.

The three-time champion played his first Masters in 1991, the year Ian Woosnam edged out Jose Maria Olazabal and Tom Watson, and has played 90 competitive rounds at a course he calls his “probably favourite place on earth”.

Mickelson, 46, has accumulated nine top-three finishes in his 24 appearances, winning in 2004, 2006 and 2010 and as he embarks on his 25th Masters at the same age Jack Nicklaus was when he won a surprise sixth green jacket, the world number 18 wants his experience of Augusta National to be a telling factor.