Masters 2018: Tiger Woods relationship changed because of one thing - Phil Mickelson

Mickelson and Woods played a practice round together yesterday at Augusta and the pair seemed to be a lot more friendly.

With a flurry of birdies and eagles between them on the back nine, they looked to be easy in each other’s company.

Their relationship was rather strained in the past, but it has eased in recent years due to Woods’ well-documented injury problems.

Woods captained the successful 2016 Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine which Mickelson played in.

And Mickelson thinks the competition helped thaw tensions with the former world No 1.

“I think we have always had a respect and appreciation for each other,” Mickelson said.

“But I think coming together to work together for a common goal of having success in the Ryder Cup has brought us closer together.

“It started about two-and-a-half years ago.

“I feel that has been the turning point as we were getting ready for Hazeltine and preparing for that.

“We were talking almost on a daily basis and I thought that was the impetus for when we started to work well together.

“There’s nothing that brings you closer together than working on a common goal like that.”

Woods goes into the Masters as one of the strong favourites and he is bidding to claim his fifth green jacket, while Mickelson hopes to be in the Butler Cabin to be fitted with the infamous blazer for the fourth time on Sunday.