20110404
Mickelson poised for another title charge at Augusta
Last updated: 4th April 2011 
It feels a lot like ’06 in that I needed to have a week where I kind of put it together.
Phil Mickelson
Quotes of the week
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Phil Mickelson says he has great momentum going into Augusta week as he prepares to defend his Masters title.
The three-time Masters champion found his form for the first time this season with a three-shot victory at the Shell Houston Open on Sunday, carding an impressive 63-65 on the weekend.
The left-hander is one of only four players in history to have won the week before Augusta, having lifted the BellSouth Classic trophy in 2006.
And he admits the vibes are good for a repeat following his 39th success on the PGA Tour.
“It feels really good for me to have played well and to gain some momentum,” Mickelson said.
“It feels a lot like ’06 in that I needed to have a week where I kind of put it together.
“By that I mean, I’ve been saying all year I’m playing well but I’m not getting the scores out of it, and I’m having just kind of a lapse of focus.
Concentration
“And it was even evident today on a couple shots, a basic easy chip shot on eight that I flubbed and three-putting 15. Those little types of lack of concentration.
“I’ve got to continue to work on that. Although all in all, this was one of the best weeks I’ve had in a long time as far as seeing the shot and being able to hit it.
“So, it was a great week in that regard and great for getting momentum.”
Mickelson now heads to Augusta, but actually visited the club before his Houston mission, and admitted it provided him with impetus for the tournament.
“It re-energises me every time I go there,” Mickelson said.
“I get excited with the game and fall in love with the game again and again. It reminds me how much I dreamt as a kid of playing there, of competing and winning majors and winning golf tournaments.”
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