Q. On 18 when Chris comes out of the bunker and you see that ball rest, I know on TV, you were quoted as thinking good things were going to happen to you; is that almost a fateful moment do you think?
MICKELSON: You know, it was interesting, I said earlier on our ceremonies that my grandfather collects the flags of the tournaments that I win. And so, I would save the flags. I'd write a little something on there and he would put them on his wall back home. He said enough of these Tour wins, enough of these; I want a major.
Unfortunately, he passed away this January at 97 years old, and just before he passed away over Christmas, he said that this was going to be the year. And on that putt, Chris's ball was hanging on that left lip, and when it got to the hole it just fell off. And my putt was almost on the identical line; it was hanging on that left lip. Instead of falling off, it caught that lip and circled around and went in. I can't help but think that he may have had a little something to do with that.
Q. Can you talk about the most difficult part of this journey ... ?
MICKELSON: Well, the most difficult part of the journey? I think the most difficult part of this ten year journey has just been dealing with, I don't want to say failure, but dealing with losses time after time. It just gets frustrating. It can wear on you, except that you just can't let it.
Q. Us media types are talking about how you've changed a little bit, more on the course. What's your assessment? Are you a different guy than you were eight months ago, a year ago?
MICKELSON: I'm certainly happier. (Laughter.)
I had a different feeling playing this week. I had a different feeling entering this tournament. I just had a real belief that I was going to come through this week. I didn't want to get too excited because I had had that belief a number of times before and it never happened. I felt very calm, and last night when Amy and I would talk, we were just very calm. We just felt like things were different. When I was out on the course, I didn't feel the anxiety of is it slipping away, or how is the tournament going or who is doing what. It was, let's hit some shots.
I didn't get off to the best start, but when I started to get to 7, 8, those are holes I could take off. I didn't birdie them, but things started to change. I looked at holes as birdie opportunities, and it ultimately clicked on 12.
Q. You said a couple years ago after another near miss, might have been Bethpage, you wanted not just one major but a bunch of majors. Do you think this might help you get that bunch of majors, well, one?
MICKELSON: Well, one isn't really a bunch, but it's a nice start. I hope it does lead to more, but right now I just want to cherish this one.
Q. Not only did you win your first major, but you did it on the back nine, 31, one of the most dramatic last days in Masters history, and a birdie putt on 18. How does that feel to have won it that way?
MICKELSON: I really don't know what to say, to tell you how awesome it feels. It just feels so good. I don't think any Masters will ever compare to the '86 Masters, but for me, this one does. (Laughter.)
Q. What would you have thought of your career if you had not won a major?
MICKELSON: I had never thought about that. Nor do I have to. (Laughter.)
Q. Can you give some advice to people who have had a goal and it takes a long struggle to get there, people who maybe who have not achieved a certain goal like you have achieved now? What advice would you give to people?
MICKELSON: It's not really my place to give advice to anyone. But I would say that when you finally do achieve that goal, the harder the struggle is, the greater the reward.
Q. If it's printable, can you share your very first thought when the putt dropped in?
MICKELSON: I think I yelled out, "I did it!" I think that's what I yelled out. I looked at Bones and just gave him a hug.
I just think that it was just a great feeling to have that.
My first thought was, "I did it. I finally did it." I knew I could, but I finally did it."
