Masters 2012: Phil Mickelson's Week at Augusta a Study in Lefty's Best and Worst

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

For Phil Mickelson at the Masters, that is.

The three-time green jacket winner finished in a tie for third at Augusta National—a strong showing by most standards, but one tinted with regret and opportunities missed on a course he knows so well.

There were the highs: the four-under 68 on Friday; the six-under 66 on Moving day, punctuated by an eagle on 13; the three birdies to finish off the tournament.

And there were the lows: the two-over 74 on Thursday, dragged down by a triple bogey on the treacherous 10th hole; another triple on the fourth hole on Sunday to put him behind; the birdie putt on 17 that lipped out, leaving Lefty needing an eagle on the 18th to force his way into a playoff with Louis Oosthuizen and eventual champion Bubba Watson.

Said Mickelson of his effort:

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"It's disappointing that I didn't grab that fourth green jacket. It's disappointing that I didn't make it happen on the back nine and get the putts to fall, even though I felt like I was hitting them pretty good. I gave them all good chances. I just couldn't quite get them to go."

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Disappointing, indeed, but far from wasted. There's something to be said for Mickelson who, at 41 years old and after 20 years as a pro, is still at the top of his game, still plugging away at Major championships, turning in more strong performances than poor ones.

That doesn't mean that Lefty will necessarily complete his career Grand Slam (he still has yet to win the US Open or the British Open), be it this year, next year or ever.

But, it does mean that Mickelson can and likely will continue to contend, that he will remain relevant in his sport of choice for many years to come.

And not just because his name is Phil Mickelson.

Rather, while Tiger Woods continues to seek out his long lost swing, Mickelson will be busy showing up on leaderboards, whether he finishes on top or not.

Falling short of victory may be disappointing to Mickelson, but to those who love the game of golf, seeing Lefty in contention in the biggest tournaments of the year, regardless of where he winds up, will never grow old.

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