{"id":1557145,"date":"2023-04-10T16:48:17","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T20:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1557145"},"modified":"2023-04-10T16:48:18","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T20:48:18","slug":"phil-mickelson-makes-massive-jump-official-world-golf-ranking-runner-up-finish-masters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/phil-mickelson-makes-massive-jump-official-world-golf-ranking-runner-up-finish-masters\/","title":{"rendered":"Phil Mickelson Makes a Massive Jump in the Official World Golf Ranking With His Runner-Up Finish at the Masters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Coming into the 2023 Masters<\/a>, Phil Mickelson wasn't playing great golf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Truth be told, since making the jump to LIV Golf<\/a> last year, he hasn't even come close to being worth the $200 million he was paid to leave the PGA Tour<\/a>. He's had just one top-10 finish. His average finishing position is 31.3. And in his final tuneup before Augusta, he nearly had his worst finish<\/a> yet, ending his weekend in Orlando in 41st. Remember, these are 48-player fields, folks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So when Mickelson claimed he could go on a tear at the Masters, it was honestly an easy statement at which to laugh. Seriously, nobody could have thought Lefty would truly contend at the year's first major, even with his strong history at Augusta National. I know I didn't. In fact, I said Phil wouldn't even make the weekend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I was wrong. Not only did Mickelson make the weekend, he put himself in the mix on Sunday with a historic final round and ultimately tied for second, a finish that bumped him up more than 350 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phil Mickelson jumped more than 350 spots in the Official World Golf ranking with a runner-up finish at the Masters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Phil
Phil Mickelson reacts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2023 | Patrick Smith\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After easily making the 36-hole cut<\/a> at 4-under, Mickelson struggled a bit in the third round, as did just about everyone in tough conditions, shooting a 3-over round of 75. So he was essentially an afterthought as Sunday's final round began. The only real entertainment was the fact that he was playing alongside Jordan Spieth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Mickelson made himself part of the story with a brilliant round. After shooting a 2-under 34 on the front, Phil was even better on the back nine. After pars at 10 and 11, he finished Amen Corner with birdies at 12 and 13. Lefty then added birdies at 15, 17, and 18 — the last two being particularly notable as 17 and 18 played as the two most difficult holes on the course — giving him a 7-under 65, tying his lowest score ever at Augusta. It was also the lowest round in Masters history by a player aged 50 or older. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Clubhouse leader. #themasters<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/knz660UE7F<\/a><\/p>— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>