Age no barrier for five-time major winner Mickelson

FIVE-TIME major winner Phil Mickelson claims age is no barrier as he bids to end a near four-year victory drought and become the oldest Masters champion in history.

Diet, exercise, f itness and specifically a ‘no sugar’ rule are his key to longevity on the golf course and Mickelson believes the combination could unlock a sixth major victory for the 46-year- old champion from California.

Jack Nicklaus, winner of a record 18 major titles, is the oldest Masters winner in history, winning the green jacket at age 46 in 1986.

But Mickelson, also 46, would be his senior by several months if he manages to collect his fourth Masters title on Sunday.

“I don’t think much about age right now,” said Mickelson, who has also won the British Open and the PGA Championship titles and finished second at the US Open a record six times.”

“And it’s not like I’m a pillar of fitness, but I spend a decent enough time to be able to physically perform and practice and play the way I’d like to play.”

Powerfully built but spareframed, Mickelson says the golden rule for continuing to compete at the highest level is to avoid refined sugar whenever possible.

“For recovery and to get rid of inflammation, I’ve had to reduce or stop any type of sugar intake, like 95 percent of it,” he said.

“It causes so much inflammation in my body and I’m not able to recover. Any type of processed sugar is just a catastrophe for me to eat. Still do though, at times,” he joked. — AFP