Obstacles Phil Mickelson Will Have to Overcome to Win the Honda Classic

Phil Mickelson is right in the thick of the PGA Tour field as the 2015 Honda Classic continues to build momentum in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Finishing six strokes off current leader Jim Herman, Mickelson is looking to find his rhythm in a competitive atmosphere before April 9 and the start of the Masters at Augusta.

But, unfortunately for Lefty, the Honda Classic is going to have to be a lot more than just a tune up. Tiger Woods may be stealing all the headlines, but the 44-year-old, five-time major winner from San Diego is going through a rough patch of his own.

Mickelson missed his last two cuts at the Waste Management Phoenix Open (January 29) and Farmers Insurance Open (February 5) and desperately needs to get back into his groove if he is to have any hoping of vying for another green jacket.

Here's what Lefty needs to do to jumpstart his season and capture the Honda Classic.

The Master Needs to Find His Short-Game Mojo

The biggest reason for Mickelson’s shortcomings of late is, surprisingly, his short game. A modern master of short irons and icy putts for the biggest trophies (US Open excluded), Lefty has lately been a shadow of his former self.

After missing the cut at the TPC Scottsdale, Mickelson noted, via the Golf Channel: "It was a difficult round I thought for everyone out there with the weather and the rain."

However, not one to shirk the blame for a poor performance, he went on to admit: "I saw some good rounds out there, but my short game was off today. I let a lot of shots slide around the greens, and I've got to fix that. That happened last week, as well."

Though he recognized the problem, it clearly wasn't an easy fix, as he reprised his uncharacteristic role at the Farmers Insurance Open just a week later. Mickelson recorded five three-putts over the course of 36 holes, per Hank Gola of the Daily News, which was a personal record for a non-major tournament.

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"I feel like I'm hitting the ball tee to green quite well, but my putting is beyond pathetic, and if I can't get back to the levels of 2013, I'm not sure what I'm going to do," said Mickelson after finishing a disappointing round at even par.

He went on to suggest his complacency with the short stick may have allowed some rust to tarnish that often sterling club, saying:

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I know I spent a lot of time in the off-season with ball striking, with driving, with a lot of the areas that I’m doing well right now, primarily because I thought my putting was fine. I had putted phenomenal all of 2013 and even the last few months of 2014. I felt that that wasn’t going to be an issue. But it is.

"

Mickelson's first round at this Honda Classic is proving tough but manageable (three birdies, four bogeys today), thanks in part to the high winds (25 miles per hour) and difficult Bermuda grass greens. But perhaps the likely precipitation in Palm Beach on Friday will help him rein in his roll after he's settled his nerves from Thursday's opening round.

Hoping for the rain to help his scorecard may be wishful thinking, but it also may not be far from Lefty's mindset at present.

Before this tournament, Mickelson told Hank Gola of the Daily News: "I feel like I put in the time, so hopefully the scores will start to reflect that. I don't know when that will happen, but hopefully soon."

Such a quote does not suggest confidence. It suggests he is still questioning his authority on the greens, which does not bode well for this competition. While self-criticism may be a useful tool during practice, it can be a major hindrance on the course. In order to regain control of his putter and return to his form from last year, Mickelson will first have to silence the doubt in his own head.

But Let's Not Forget the Field

Though it is said that 9/10ths of golf is played on the course between one's ears, it would be absurd for a player of any caliber to dismiss the field at the Honda Classic.

To be perfectly honest, Mickelson was not among the favorites to win going in. And even if he were, he still has to beat the 2012 Honda Classic champion—and golf's reigning golden boy—Rory McIlroy (the 4-1 favorite, per Kyle Porter of CBS Sports).

Kamran Jebreili/Associated Press

This is McIlroy's competitive 2015 debut here in the States, and it promises to be electric. He's fresh off one win and another second-place finish in a pair of earlier Middle Eastern tournaments.

This week, McIlroy will be looking to recreate the magic that powered him to become the second youngest No. 1 in World Golf Ranking history after he held off Tiger's charge in Palm Beach three years ago.

As for the rest of the field, SportsCenter anchor Jonathan Coachman reminds us that FedEx Cup winner Billy Horschel is ready to pick up right where he left off last year.

Though this is a home-state course for many on the PGA Tour, Coachman thinks the advantage will be most significant for the new father who doesn't have to travel far from home to compete this weekend.

Meanwhile, ESPN senior golf editor Kevin Maguire believes Keegan Bradley has a distinct advantage for his ability to play the "really tough courses well," adding that the "PGA National's Champion course might be the hardest track on the Florida swing."

SportsCenter anchor Matt Barrie added that Bradley's last three finishes here have been T-12, T-4 and T-12, meaning he's usually in good position for a big run at the Honda.

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If Lefty hopes to push past these young guns (all three are in their 20s), then he's going to have to play smart. Thursday's high winds will likely persist into Friday—and perhaps even the weekend—which will make the narrow fairways look narrower and the plentiful water hazards all the more daunting.

His putting struggles have been noted, but in order for Mickelson even to have a chance to sort out his green game, he'll have to zero in on the flagsticks in a timely fashion. His 65 percent driving accuracy could prove deadly on holes six, nine, 14 and 18, just to name a few with extensive beachfront property.

Similarly, he will need all of his 69 percent greens in regulation to hit the crucial Nos. five, 11 and 17 greens.

Mickelson said on Golf Channel's live broadcast that he actually enjoys playing in high winds, which may help steady his nerves this weekend when it comes to holing out. Finding enjoyment in counteracting adverse conditions in the approach to the psychological bear that is his present putting situation could very well help clear his mind and boost his confidence.

Though other golfers are battling the same storm, Mickelson's positive mindset and renewed focus could turn that adversity into an asset.

If Lefty is going to beat the favorites who are in better form coming into this tournament, then making a strength out of their weakness and hitting greens early will be the best way to ascend a talented leader board.