Mickelson Revamps Golf Game For 2007
Masters champion Phil Mickelson has revealed he has adopted a new swing and fitness regime in an attempt to add to his major haul in the coming season.
The American, 36, has tried to eliminate a tendency to push tee shots to the left and says a revamped fitness programme will help him this season.
"I needed a slightly different golf swing and a different equipment make-up in the head," said the left-hander. "I've also done a lot in the gym. I think it will pay off and I'm excited."
Mickelson admits he was stung by his failure to win last year's US Open at Winged Foot, when a wild drive and double bogey at the last effectively gifted victory to Geoff Ogilvy.
But he says the adjustments he has made are all part of a new approach this season.
"Dealing with failure is part of the game," said Mickelson, who also won the Masters in 2004. "I deal with it 90% of the time. And I am really looking forward to 2007 because I've addressed a problem in my game and I think I've created a solution. I've adjusted my swing and equipment, and I lost 20 to 25 pounds in the gym and put 10 to 15 back on in muscle. I'm hoping this will improve stamina so that in the latter part of the year I have a better performance. I'm looking forward to seeing how the first three or four tournaments go, and seeing if the changes I've made in the off-season have made a significant, positive result."
Mickelson will play his first competitive tournament since September's Ryder Cup in this week's five-round pro-celebrity Bob Hope Classic, which starts on Wednesday at Palm Springs, California.
Defending champion Chad Campbell will try to be the first player since 1976 to win back-to-back titles at the event after beating Sweden's Jesper Parnevik and compatriot Scott Verplank by three shots last year.
Campbell, ranked 30th in the world, shared second last week at the Sony Open, where he fired a round of 62.
Others in the field include US veterans Davis Love, Justin Leonard, Fred Funk, Fred Couples and David Duval plus Canada's Mike Weir, who won here in 2003.
Players compete on the host Classic Club course as well as at La Quinta Country Club, the Palmer Private Course at PGA West and Bermuda Dunes Country Club.
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