Masters: Phil Mickelson's glow at Augusta has dimmed

Phil Mickelson reacts to a putt on No. 4 during the third round of the Masters Tournament. (Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network)AUGUSTA, Ga. — There was a time when Phil Mickelson could hardly walk around Augusta National without a massive, Tiger-level wave of humanity flowing in his wake. Calls of “Let’s go Phil!” echoed through the pines with every round.

The patrons at Augusta National could sympathize when Phil found himself in trouble off the tee or around the green — He plays just like us! — and they’d make mental notes of how he escaped that trouble, planning to use a Phil-style stinger or daring flop shot the next weekend at the local muni.

Phil Mickelson had literally nothing in common…