Mickelson and Young Guns Ready to Duel at Augusta

Golf’s first major tees off Thursday with the first round of the Masters.
Three-time champ Phil Mickelson is tuning up with some trash talking, while Rory McIlroy dreams of achieving one of golf’s most difficult milestones.
The privileges that go with winning the Masters abound like the azaleas at Augusta. Besides the famous green jacket, there’s the invite to the annual Champions Dinner, which Phil Mickelson loves to taunt non-Masters champs about.
Said Mickelson- “I like to rough up Dustin (Johnson). You know, he’s just a great target, I think. And so we were walking down one and I said, ‘So, what are your plans tonight?’ (laughter). It might have been a little too subtle at eight in the morning.”
Added defending champ Jordan Spieth-“Back home having a bunch of my friends over, and just kind of having the jacket on while you’re grilling out or you’re doing whatever. That kind of stuff, you know.”
Rory McIlroy needs to win the Masters to become just the sixth golfer in history to win the majors career grand slam.
Said McIlroy-“I think it’s important to get a good 36 holes under your belt and play well. That gives you confidence going into the weekend as well.”
Augusta will feature the world’s top young guns in McIlory, Spieth, and current number one golfer in the world, Jason Day.
Said Day-“We’re all kinda feeding off each other, and we’re all trying to get better and stronger each and every year. Right now, I think it’s fun for the game to see how close it is.”
The 45-year-old Mickelson believes he still has the juice to beat the ‘young fellers’ and earn his fourth green jacket.
Said Mickelson-“I don’t feel old at all. I feel great. I guess maybe if you hang out around these young guys as much as I have been, you just feel young.”