AUGUSTA, Ga. — Phil Mickelson needed a hug. “Where’s Amy?” he said, searching through the crowd that was watching from a distance, unsure whether to cheer for Mickelson or offer him condolences.
Finally, Mickelson spotted his devoted wife, who had arrived late Thursday night anticipating another weekend at Augusta National. The couple shared a long hug and a kiss, bringing a much-needed smile to Mickelson’s face as he headed to shake hands with friends and familiar faces. It was as if he were saying good-bye.
If the Mickelsons do remain at Augusta National this weekend, the family activities won’t include watching Phil play golf. His string of 16 consecutive cuts made at the Masters came to end Friday after the three-time champion followed an opening round 76 with a 1-over 73 to finish 5-over, one beyond the cutline.
It leaves the 78th Masters with a television ratings nightmare — no Tiger Woods and no Mickelson for the weekend. Mickelson was asked if he would tune in to watch the tournament.
“I probably will,” he said. “It will kind of be my punishment.”
One might suggest Mickelson endured enough punishment during his two rounds of competition. He came here celebrating the 10th anniversary of his first win at the Masters. But his chance to win a fourth green jacket was ruined by a triple-bogey 6 at the par-3 12th hole. That was added to the brutal holes he suffered on Thursday — a triple-bogey 7 at the seventh and a double-bogey at the par-5 15th birdie hole.
“I keep making these triples,” he said. “They’re tough to overcome.”
It will be tough to overcome the absence of Tiger and Phil on the weekend of a Masters. The only time Mickelson missed a cut here was in 1997 when Woods won his first Masters after missing the cut as an amateur in 1996.
Television ratings that consistently reach double figures when Woods is in contention on the weekend were already going to take a hit after he withdrew because of back surgery. Now golf’s second-biggest star won’t be around on Saturday and Sunday.
Missing the cut extends what has been a brutal season for Mickelson. It’s the first time as a pro he has gone nine tournaments without a top-10 finish. He was encouraged after finishing tied for 12th at the Shell Houston Open last week. But his game isn’t sharp enough to overcome his mistakes.
His butchering of the 12th hole is a prime example. Mickelson hit his tee-shot at the famed par-3 into the front bunker. He got more ball than sand on his second shot, sailing it into the back bunker. He did the same on his third shot, sending the ball back into the front bunker.
His fourth shot finally reached the green, from where he two-putted to post his 6.
“I didn’t play great. I didn’t play bad,” Mickelson said. “I just had one bad hole there at 12.”
Mickelson said the oblique injury that caused him to withdraw from the Valero Texas Open was not a factor in his performance.
“Physically I feel great,” he said. “I haven’t had any problems. I’ve been able to play healthy. I haven’t had to think about it. But I’m not really sharp.”
Here’s something else to consider: Mickelson’s last five rounds at the Masters have been 76, 77,73, 76,73. That’s a troubling trend from someone who will turn 44 next in June.
Thank goodness for Bubba Watson, the 2012 Masters champion, who made five consecutive birdies on the back nine en route to a 4-under 68 that gave him a three-shot lead at 7-under. Certainly, the network suits are hoping defending champion Adam Scott (3-under) and 54-year-old fan favorite Fred Couples (2-under) will stay in the mix. Otherwise, the leaderboard at Masters will leave the network execs looking for a hug and condolences.