{"id":887602,"date":"2026-04-11T20:52:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T20:52:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/887602\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T20:52:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T20:52:22","slug":"the-masters-phil-mickelson-doubles-down-after-breaking-silence-with-heavy-criticism-of-augusta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/887602\/","title":{"rendered":"The Masters: Phil Mickelson doubles down after breaking silence with heavy criticism of Augusta"},"content":{"rendered":"

Phil Mickelson is a notable absentee from this week’s <\/strong>Masters<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lefty has decided to skip the first men’s major of the year to deal with an ongoing “private family health matter” that has reduced him to only one appearance on the lucrative LIV Golf League<\/a> in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Following Tiger Woods<\/a>‘ decision to also skip the 90th edition after he was arrested under charges of driving under the influence, it is the first time since 1994 that a Masters has been played without the thrill or the big cat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mickelson, a three-time green jacket winner, has not announced when he plans to return to action.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But he is following the action unfold at Augusta National this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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However, he is not a happy man. The source of his displeasure are the par-five 13th and 15th holes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In Mickelson’s view, there is now a distinct lack of drama with so few players in the field capable of reaching in two shots.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Friday evening, moments after Rory McIlroy tapped in for a second-round 65 to take a commanding six-shot lead into the weekend on his title defence, Lefty posted on X:<\/p>\n

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One user informed Mickelson that Jake Knapp, Kristoffer Reitan, Rasmus Neegaard-Petersen, Max Greyserman, Sami Valimaki and Keegan Bradley all had eagle putts during round two.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Added Mickelson: “Six of 90. Like I said ‘so few’.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Mickelson<\/a> is not wrong to say that both holes are lengthened but whether they are less exciting is up for debate.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 2023, Augusta stretched the tee back at the 13th from 510 yards to 545 yards. One year prior, the 15th was pulled back 30 yards and to the left, requiring a much more accurate tee shot.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So far this week, four eagles were made across No. 13 and No. 15.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yesterday, only one was made on each hole.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite Mickelson’s protestations, Augusta National are unlikely to make any changes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Before this week’s tournament began, chairman Fred Ridley doubled down on the club’s position on rolling back the golf ball<\/a> for the elite men’s game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ridley explained that in his view the game was becoming too one-dimensional and shouldn’t just be about hitting prodigious drives.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Failure is not an option,” he warned<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Jack <\/p>\n

Jack Nicklaus with Tom Watson at the 2026 Masters<\/p>\n

Masters legends Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson echoed his sentiments during their annual news conference after hitting the ceremonial opening tee shots.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Player argued that the amateur game should be left alone, but implored golf’s rule makers to cut the ball back 60 yards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There is no such thing as a par-5 in the world today,” Player said. “We saw Rory with a 7-iron last year when he won The Masters, they’re hitting 8-irons and 7-irons to par-5s.”<\/p>\n

Nicklaus added: “What they’re doing right now is throwing a deck chair off the Titanic<\/a>, and it’s not getting enough done. It needs to really come back.<\/p>\n

“I know a lot of people don’t like that, but I think Gary is absolutely right.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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