Mickelson targets 15th hole as key to Masters victories

Phil Mickelson believes the secret to his success in The Masters comes down most of all to a change of thinking on one hole.

The American has won three of his four major titles at Augusta – in 2004, 2006 and 2010.

“The biggest thing I look back on – on my three wins relative to the times that I’ve come close and have not won – has come down into a strategic change on hole 15,” said the left-hander.

The last par five at Augusta National has played as the easiest hole over all the years of the tournament, with an average of 4.79.

But Mickelson knows it as a potential round-killer, as he prepares for tomorrow’s start to the tournament. He will head out in the last group of all with Hunter Mahan and Peter Hanson, so they will reach the 15th late in the day.

“I played it in the past as a must-birdie and I have made some epic numbers there that have just shot me right out of the tournament,” Mickelson, 41, said.

“I look at it totally different now. I’ll accept par and I’m not going to complain or try to force a four.

“I’ll probably make two birdies and have a 4.5 scoring average on that hole.

“Maybe I’ll get lucky and make an eagle or make a putt or what-have-you, but I’ll be happy with one or two birdies there.”