Mickelson had a blast at the LIV Golf event in Miami this year. The 3-time Masters winner started really strong with a 3 under par on the first day at the Trump National Doral. Despite adverse weather conditions, Mickelson fought hard, finishing with a score of 1 above par and in 6 place.

This was his second-best finish in the LIV circuit this year, having finished third in Hong Kong two events prior. Now, he is headed to Augusta, intending to add one more Major to his trophy cabinet. “We are starting to trend up. We are starting to play really well. And there are four majors. So, my goal is to win a LIV event. My goal to win another major, um, I can feel is within reach,” the three-time Masters champion had stated earlier. While he is yet to win a LIV event, the 45-time PGA Tour winner has been in good form of late.

Speaking to the press post the Miami event, Mickelson was heavily optimistic about his chances and with due reason. Lefty explained, “Yeah, I’m playing really well. I’m playing good golf. I’m driving it well. I’m hitting good iron shots, putting it well. I’m looking forward to competing at Augusta, a course I know very well, and feel like I have the game now and am hitting the shots to compete.” Mickelson’s ‘I have the game now,’ is a declaration of utmost confidence.

Mickelson’s performance in the Blue Monster Course in Miami will be a huge boost as the conditions are thought to be of a similar nature to the challenge that awaits later in the week at Augusta. The only other person who has won more Masters and is active on the circuit right now is Tiger Woods.

His absence due to health reasons means that Mickelson will de facto be the most experienced swinger around. The six-time Major Champion will be looking to use his experience as leverage in navigating the adverse conditions there as well, having experienced a similar atmosphere at Miami too.

LIV Golfers have a slight advantage heading into Augusta

“This course at the moment, the way it’s playing, it’s testing every single part of your game, and that’s what Augusta is going to do next week. Hopefully, we’ll be able to keep doing more of the same,” Sergio Garcia said of the Miami course.

And it is not just Garcia who feels the same. Bryson DeChambeau, who is one of two LIV Golfers who have won a Major while being a part of the Saudi-backed circuit, feels that the Trump National Doral has been a great testing pad ahead of the Masters. “This wind is the more difficult wind, I would say, so it’s a good test leading up to the Masters, just a good test in general. I like these types of golf courses. They really do truly test and see if you have your full game,” DeChambeau stated.

Even Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters Champion feels the same. Reed, DeChambeau, Garcia, and Mickelson are among the twelve golfers who will be competing in the Masters this year from the LIV circuit, hoping to make a permanent mark. “This is one of those places that if you get aggressive and you try to take stuff on that — and you try to push it too hard, you can make big numbers in a hurry. This is one of those places, kind of like Augusta, you have to kind of let it go, play smart, and just let the rounds come to you,” Reed explained.

Do you think the LIV Golf Event offers a slight advantage to the LIV Golfers heading into the Masters Tournament? Or is it going to be a completely different challenge for them?