Sun.Star Davao

New Woods at Augusta, Mickelson along for ride

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AUGUSTA, Ga. — The power off the tee and the sharpness with his short game made him look like the Tiger Woods of old. The smile on his face and the company he kept Tuesday at the Masters — a practice round with Phil Mickelson — suggested someone entirely different. Woods and Mickelson had not played together at Augusta National since 2009, and even then it wasn't by choice. They were paired in the final round, and while neither won the green jacket, Lefty shot 67 and got him by one shot.

This time they were partners, and it wasn't a fair fight against Fred Couples and Thomas Pieters.

Never mind that Mickelson hit his opening tee shot at No. 10 behind a magnolia tree. Unlike that failed foursomes match they played at Oakland Hills in the 2004 Ryder Cup, Mickelson had to play the next shot, too.

The two loudest roars that shattered the morning calm came from Woods making eagle on the two par 5s at No. 13 and No. 15.

"I made a few birdies in there," Mickelson said. "We had a five-hole stretch. We were 7 under. That was some fun play."

This was only a snapshot, and it received far more attention because of the stage at Augusta National and the two leading characters. Woods and Mickelson have been longtime rivals, rarely friends and hardly ever partners.

But it's not just with Mickelson.

Woods has become a mentor to Justin Thomas, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler among other youngsters. Long respected by his peers as the greatest player of his generation, he now has formed relationsh­ips with them. Padraig Harrington hardly recognized Woods at Torrey Pines earlier this year when he saw him walk onto the range, exchange a few high-fives and stop to chat.

Woods turned 42 at the end of last year. He has been away from golf for much of the last few years because of his four back surgeries. The Masters will be the first major he plays since the PGA Championsh­ip in August 2015.

 ?? AP Photo/Charlie Riedel ?? PRACTICE. Phil Mickelson, left, and Tiger Woods warm up on the driving range during practice for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Tuesday, April 3, 2018, in Augusta, Ga.
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel PRACTICE. Phil Mickelson, left, and Tiger Woods warm up on the driving range during practice for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Tuesday, April 3, 2018, in Augusta, Ga.

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