Phil Mickelson Misses Cut at 2015 Farmers Insurance Open: Comments, Reaction

Other than a second-place finish at the PGA Championship, the 2013-14 season was a massive disappointment for Phil Mickelson. The new year doesn't appear to be much more promising.

A second-round score of 72 on Friday saw Mickelson miss the weekend cut for his second straight start at the 2015 Farmers Insurance Open by three strokes.

PGA Tour provided comments from Mickelson, who attributed the cut to his putting struggles:

Justin Ray of the Golf Channel indicated it is the first time Mickelson has missed the cut in back-to-back weeks in 13 years.

Mickelson talked about his frustrations regarding his struggles, according to ESPN.com's Bob Harig:

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"You can't compete out here putting the way I did," said Mickelson, who three-putted five times through 36 holes. "It was one of the worst putting performances and the first few weeks really have been the same way and you simply can't compete at this level putting like that."

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"I'm down, I'm frustrated," the five-time major champion said. "Because I see other parts of my game do very well, but putting as bad as I have, it starts to creep into some of the other areas, too.

"I don't think it will be a quick fix, just because you putt bad for a few weeks, it's going to take a little bit of good rounds, it will take not only some fundamental change, but it will take some good low rounds and some hot putting streaks to get confidence back, too."

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Lack of precision with short irons has been a big fault to point to for Mickelson's unusual travails on the course. The magical short game and touch around the greens are still present, but Mickelson has struggled to piece everything together on a consistent basis for four rounds, much less two.

Three straight closing rounds in the 60s saw Mickelson salvage a tie for 24th at the Humana Challenge in his first start of this season. Lefty was unable to maintain that consistency in Phoenix, as ball-striking and putting continued to make it hard for him to score well.

Making matters more disappointing, Mickelson is a California native and shined at Arizona State, so the West Coast has been kind to him. As a three-time tournament champion, even the ever-optimistic Mickelson has to be discouraged by missing the cut at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

The tools are present for Mickelson to succeed for a few more years at the highest level. However, he needs to seize some momentum quickly.

Mickelson has committed next to playing at the Honda Classic beginning on February 26. He spoke of his decision to play there before the Farmers Insurance Open, per PGATour.com:

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I put in four months now of being pretty diligent. I feel better than I have in a long time, and I've been able to practice hard and work on my game. I think long term having a little bit less pressure on my joints is going to be good for somebody who's got arthritis.

I also find that the more I work out, the better I feel and the less symptoms I feel. So I'm excited, and I have been slowly, over the last four or five years, cutting out things in my diet that cause inflammation in my body. I feel better and better, the best I have in a long time. My swing speed has been coming back. I have been able to, to late in the round, finish the rounds off with energy and strength and stamina as opposed to getting tired. So it's been a good thing. I'm glad I put in the effort and I'm enjoying it right now.

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A career Grand Slam is something Mickelson still hopes to complete at the U.S. Open. That goal alone should drive Mickelson and eventually see him return among golf's elite players before he leaves the PGA Tour.

With Rory McIlroy's rise to prominence and Tiger Woods' hoping to return to form this season as well, Mickelson needs to rediscover his form sooner rather than later. Otherwise, his best golf may be behind him more quickly than he or his many fans will have anticipated.

Woods withdrew from play on Thursday with a back injury, so while Mickelson is struggling, he isn't the only big name in need of a lift as the Masters approaches.

The 2014-15 season will be a big one for Mickelson and will be a telling sign of where his career is trending. Mixed results thus far aren't exactly encouraging, but there is a lot of golf to play for Mickelson to bounce back.