MASTERS NOTEBOOK
Mickelson Is Among the Top 10 Again
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Monday, April 14, 2008
AUGUSTA, Ga., April 13 -- For the first time in five years, Phil Mickelson did not go to Butler Cabin for the traditional green jacket ceremony at the conclusion of the 72nd Masters on Sunday. A new champion, Trevor Immelman, earned the honor of putting one on, and the defending champion, Zach Johnson, helped him do it.
Mickelson won two Masters in 2004 and 2006 and had the job of assisting Johnson with the coat last year and champion Tiger Woods in 2005. Still, despite a disappointing 75 on Saturday, Mickelson posted an even-par 72 Sunday for a 2-under total of 286, good for a tie for fifth place, his 10th top-10 finish in 16 appearances.
"I was hoping to make more of a run than I did, but it was a tough day, and I felt like I had to fight pretty hard to keep it around par," he said. "I certainly had some chances that could have brought it lower, but it doesn't look like it would have been enough anyway. When you're far back, you've got to shoot something in the 60s, probably mid-60s, and it just wasn't enough."
Mickelson hasn't won a major since his double bogey at the 72nd hole cost him the 2006 U.S. Open championship at Winged Foot. The Open goes to a familiar venue for him in two months at Torrey Pines in San Diego, his hometown.
"I've been playing practice rounds sporadically there for some time now, so it's already in the back of my mind," Mickelson said. "Growing up there, that tournament means a lot to me, living in San Diego, playing high school matches at Torrey. I've been out there a bunch, and I've been thinking about it a lot."
Jiménez Goes Low
Spaniard Miguel Ángel Jiménez posted the best round of the day, a 4-under 68 that included one last birdie when he chipped in at the 18th hole to finish 1-under 287 for the tournament, tied for eighth place and an automatic invitation into next year's field.
Jiménez made the 3-over cut on the number after opening with a 77 in the first round, followed by a 70 the next day.
"This was the goal, no? For the weekend, just to make the cut on Friday and then jump up as much as possible," Jiménez said. "It was a tough day out there, and under par [for the leaders] is going to be tough to do."
Record Ratings
ESPN's coverage of Friday's second round was the most viewed cable telecast in history, with a 3.1 overall rating and what the network described as 3,014,394 household impressions. The telecast also set a cable record among the 18-to-34-year-old demographic, an 0.9 rating.
