Mickelson: "I just haven't been mentally as sharp the last six, eight months."

As Phil Mickelson’s 26-year(!) streak inside the world top 50 came to an end last week, he reflected on his struggles of late and offered this candid assessment. From Will Gray at GolfChannel.com:

"I just haven't played well. Just had a lot of stuff going on, and I just haven't been really focused and into the mental side," Mickelson said. "I haven't seen good, clear pictures. I haven't been as committed and as connected to the target. I just haven't been mentally as sharp the last six, eight months."

For someone so eternally confident in his ability to concentrate, it’s a stark sign of how difficult the game is even for an all time great, but also a reminder just how long Mickelson has maintained the drive and focus necessary to compete.