The 2020 virtual Masters: The 10 statistical favorites
By Bill Felber
Phil Mickelson, 2004, 2006, 2010 (2001-2010), -1.54
Mickelson’s peak period performance is majestic. Between 2001 and 2010, he won three times, finished third three times, finished fifth two more times, and only once landed outside the top 10. At least with respect to the Masters, if there are any Phil doubters out there, that kind of line ought to give them pause.
Begin with those three thirds, which Mickelson reeled off consecutively between 2001 and 2003. In 2001 he chased Tiger Woods home, standing tied for the top as late as the fifth hole on Sunday before finishing three off the pace.
He was four behind Woods in 2002, and two behind the Mike Weir-Len Mattiace playoff in 2003.
Mickelson’s 2004 victory was not only his first Green Jacket but his first major of any kind. One stroke behind Ernie Els at the turn on Sunday, Mickelson birdied five of the final seven holes, sinking a seven-foot birdie putt at the final hole for the one-stroke victory.
In 2006 Mickelson carried a one-stroke lead into the final round and protected it with a 69 to finish two ahead of Tim Clark, with defending champion Tiger Woods among a group one stroke further back. In 2010 his back nine 32 on Sunday put away third-round leader Lee Westwood by three strokes.
As a three-time champion, his presence near the top of the leader board at the virtual Masters would be no surprise at all.