New on the golf curriculum for 2001:
Phil Mickelson 101. The course will delve into the unique psychology of the world’s No. 2 player. Weekly observation required.
Mickelson certainly has been a case study this year. His well-documented final-round woes made him a candidate for a new motto, “Never on Sunday.”
After another Sunday disaster at the U.S. Open, he decided he needed Freud more than Leadbetter.
Mickelson shunned the driving range and went to his old Arizona State psychology books and notes.
Mickelson apparently found some answers because he finally broke out of his Sunday blues by winning last week’s Greater Hartford Open. He comes into this week’s Advil Western Open at Cog Hill in a much better mental frame of mind.
“I have a feeling of confidence in changing my mental approach,” Mickelson said. “I feel like if I can start to work on that and refine that, I should be able to close more opportunities than I have been giving away.”
Before Sunday, Mickelson had been giving away potential victories as if they were his favorite charity. He had lost three straight when he had the lead going into the final round. He also blew terrific opportunities to win at the Masters and U.S. Open by failing to come through on Sunday.
Mickelson ranks third on the PGA Tour in scoring with an average of 69.23 strokes per round. But tellingly, his final-round average of 70.50 is 37th, almost two strokes more than Tiger Woods’ leading 68.08.
Mickelson knew he had to do something after he shot a 75 in the last round of the U.S. Open. His review of some of the things he learned in college gave him some insight into what was going on between his ears.
“The last element I have not put together is really my mental preparation,” Mickelson said. “Visualizing shots, preparing the proper way mentally to pull the shots out during the final round.”
Sports psychologists definitely agree Mickelson took the right step. It doesn’t take long in golf for a couple of slips to become a par-5-sized mental block.
“Sometimes losing has to do with what you do or with what other players do,” said noted golf psychologist Bob Rotella, whose latest book is “Putting Out of Your Mind.” “There’s no defense in golf. But when it starts happening on a regular basis, you start to press and get ahead of yourself.”
Mickelson obviously started feeling the pressure. His body language showed the frustration.
“It looks like there was a lot negativity creeping in there,” said Chicago-based psychologist Dan Kirschenbaum, co-author of “Smart Golf” along with the late DeDe Owens. “Negative events become more pressing on his mind. He doesn’t let them slide through.”
Part of the problems could be attributed to a swing change Mickelson has undergone. According to Jim Suttie, who works out of Cog Hill, Mickelson is trying to cut down on the length of his swing and restrict his hip turn.
“Under pressure, he is trying to time the motion,” Suttie said. “In the long run, he might come out better. But in the meantime, he’s going to struggle.”
Mickelson’s problems also get intensified because of his style of play. He is an aggressive player–a gambler who never takes the safe approach.
“By design, Phil’s game has a lot of blips on the radar screen,” said Peter Kostis, a top teaching pro and an analyst for CBS Sports. “I’m not sure he makes any more mistakes on Sunday than he does on Thursday and Friday. Some of those early mistakes end up costing him the tournament.”
But it is the ones on Sunday that get magnified the most. At times, he is a victim of his talent. By constantly putting himself in position to win, a losing image forms when he fails.
That’s why last Sunday was so important. Instead of folding when he hit the ball in the water on the 15th hole, he finished strong for a one-shot victory.
Mickelson needed to clear that hurdle so he can get over the next one–perhaps this week at the Western or in two weeks at the British Open.
“He’s got the mind-set of a great player who thinks, `I’m a champion, I’m going to win,'” Rotella said. “It doesn’t take much. A guy like Phil can make one key putt, and he could go onto to win three in a row.”
Mickelson only hopes.
Sunday roller coaster
Before winning the Canon Greater Hartford Open on Sunday, Phil Mickelson had been experiencing some trouble on Sundays this year.
PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AM
After three rounds: Tied for first.
On Sunday: Mickelson dunks a ball in the water on 18, leading to a 73. Davis Love III charges to the victory with a final-round 63.
BUICK INVITATIONAL
After three rounds: Tied for second.
On Sunday: Wins in a three-way playoff, but only after Frank Lickliter posts a 7 on third playoff hole to Mickelson’s 6.
BAY HILL INVITATIONAL
After three rounds: Tied for fifth
On Sunday: Makes a run with a 66, but still finishes one shot behind Tiger Woods.
BELLSOUTH CLASSIC
After three rounds: Tied for third
On Sunday: Mickelson fails to move up with a final-round 75.
MASTERS
After three rounds: Trails Woods by 1.
On Sunday: An erratic putter prevents him from making a run as he finishes third with a 70.
COMPAQ CLASSIC
After three rounds: Up by three strokes
On Sunday: Mickelson shoots a lackluster 72. David Toms beats him by two shots with a final-round 64.
MASTERCARD COLONIAL
After three rounds: Tied for first.
On Sunday: He misses several crucial short putts, leading to an even-par 70. Sergio Garcia takes the title with a 63.
U.S. OPEN
After three rounds: Trails by two shots
On Sunday: Even though Woods is out of the hunt, Mickelson blows his chance, falling to a tie for seventh with a 75.
GREATER HARTFORD OPEN
After three rounds: Up by 1
On Sunday: Fires a 68 and wins the title by one shot over Billy Andrade.
Chicago Tribune.
