Masters Preview: Will Phil Mickelson Return to Form at Augusta?

Last season, Phil Mickelson found himself plagued by a wrist injury sustained at the US Open in Oakmont.

Mickelson was clearly not the same after sustaining the injury to his wrist, even though he did manage to hold off Tiger Woods to win The Deutsche Bank Championship last September, one of the four FedEx Cup events.

Mickelson spent the offseason undertaking a rigorous workout routine and dieting program. His hard work in the offseason has allowed Mickelson to return in 2008 looking a lot slimmer and his game looking a lot sharper.

So far this season, Mickelson has three top-10 finishes in eight tournaments, including a win at the Northern Trust and a second place finish at the FBR Open, both played in February.

Mickelson parted ways with his long-time swing instructor, Rick Smith, after the Masters last year and has since been working with renowned swing instructor Butch Harmon. With Harmon, Mickelson has been focusing on bringing more consistency to his game, particularly off the tee.

Mickelson still ranks 173 on the PGA Tour in driving accuracy, but his greens in regulation percentage has increased by five percent over last season.

Mickelson, the world's number two ranked player, failed to crack the top-10 at a Major last season for the first time since 1997, although The Masters was the only Major he played in before the injury to his wrist at The Open.

Mickelson has entered the 2008 season injury free, in better shape and his work with Butch Harmon appears to be paying off as his play has been more consistent.

"I'm certainly looking forward to the four Majors this year, given my performance in them last year," Mickelson said during last week's Houston Open. "I feel great. I don't have any injury problems. I'm excited for those sterner tests of golf to come along."

After breaking his streak of Major-less seasons in 2004, with a win at the Masters, Mickelson proceeded to win the PGA Championship in 2005 and the Masters for a second time in 2006. Mickelson appeared to be on his way to assembling his own collection of Major victories until his wrist injury last year at Oakmont.

It has been a long road back for Mickelson, but he is optimistic that he can return to his pre-injury form at The Majors this season, starting this week at Augusta.