Three of the game’s most iconic Masters champions—Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson, and Sergio Garcia—shared the spotlight Wednesday at Trump National Doral ahead of LIV Golf Miami. In a spirited press conference, the captains of Legion XIII, HyFlyers GC, and Fireballs GC reflected on the tactical demands of the Blue Monster and their preparations for Augusta National, where they’ll compete in golf’s most hallowed event next week.
While Miami gears up for an electrifying weekend of team golf, the trio offered fans a rare glimpse into the mindset of major champions with green jackets in their closets and more history in their sights.
The Blue Monster: A Wind-Driven Chess Match
All three veterans agreed on one thing: the Blue Monster demands a complete game. Jon Rahm, who has yet to finish outside the top 10 in his LIV career, described the Doral course as “a great major prep,” adding, “You definitely need to pick your spots here. The greens play small, and with wind changes, the course transforms daily.”
Sergio Garcia, a playoff runner-up at Doral last year, emphasized the importance of driving: “If you drive the ball well, you can be fairly aggressive. But just miss the fairway by a little in this rough, and it becomes tricky real quick.”
Mickelson compared Doral’s ever-changing layout to the Old Course at St Andrews, highlighting how wind alters the strategy dramatically: “You play one day with a certain wind, and bunkers and water are in play. The next day, they’re not even a factor. It’s like playing a different golf course every day.”
Eye on Augusta: Gear, Grit & Legacy
With The Masters just one week away, the conversation naturally shifted to the season’s first major.
Phil Mickelson, fresh off his best LIV finish to date in Hong Kong, spoke about preparing for Augusta in subtle but strategic ways—including reintroducing a 5-wood into his bag to better attack the par-5s. “I’ve got one I really like,” he said, hinting at plans for high, controlled cuts into holes like 13 and 15.
Garcia, who will tee it up in his 100th career major next week, plans to keep his setup steady, only swapping in fresh wedges for maximum spin around Augusta’s demanding greens. “I try to keep my bag as steady as possible through the season,” he said, “to maintain consistency.”
Rahm, ever methodical, won’t make any changes. “Unless I’m in Europe, it’s 5-wood all around,” he explained, praising the club’s role in attacking par-5s under tournament pressure.
Team Energy Elevates LIV’s Format
Asked about LIV Golf’s unique team format, all three champions agreed it’s changed the way they approach competition.
“There’s an intensity on Sunday even when you’re not in individual contention,” said Rahm. “You’re still playing for your team.”
He cited last year’s Miami finale as an example—closing out on a tough finishing stretch knowing his performance directly affected his team’s chance to win.
Garcia echoed that sentiment: “Even when you’re not in it individually, you’ve still got three guys relying on you. That’s a very special kind of pressure.”
Mickelson added that the camaraderie makes winning even more fulfilling: “You’ve got teammates supporting and celebrating each other. That didn’t really happen on the PGA Tour.”
Looking Back to Go Forward: Augusta Reflections
Both Garcia and Mickelson opened up about how patience—not power—eventually led them to Masters glory.
Garcia admitted to battling frustration in earlier years. “You start to think it’s normal to be in majors,” he said. “Now I enjoy every one because you don’t know when it’ll be your last.”
Mickelson shared a moment of clarity from his 2004 win: “I used to press too hard on the 15th hole, trying to make birdie every time. When I finally accepted a par was okay, I shot 31 on the back nine and won.”
Tradition Unlike Any Other
While Augusta prep continues, all three champions lit up when asked about one of the week’s most exclusive traditions: the Champions Dinner.
“It’s a very unique little club,” said Garcia. “Hearing stories from the ’60s and ’70s from guys like Player and Nicklaus—there’s nothing like it.”
Rahm recalled a 2023 dinner honoring Seve Ballesteros, where Bernhard Langer unexpectedly stole the show with a stream of heartfelt tales. “It was amazing to see him open up like that,” Rahm said.
And of course, Phil had a story of his own—about Arnold Palmer overhearing a snub from Ben Hogan and using it as fuel to win his first Masters. “Hearing it from Arnold was way better than hearing it secondhand,” Mickelson grinned.
As LIV Golf Miami kicks off this weekend at Doral, it’s clear that the players’ minds are dialed in—not just for the $25 million purse and team glory—but also for what lies ahead at Augusta.
For fans, this week offers more than a taste of championship golf—it’s a look inside the hearts and minds of legends as they prepare to chase more history.
Photo Credit: Captain Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC, Captain Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC and Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII speak at a press conference during the practice round before the start of LIV Golf Miami at Trump National Doral on Wednesday, April 02, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf)
By Angel Martinez | Golf Correspondent
