Golf Channel’s Steve Sands is covering the 23rd Masters this week. Of course, every chance you have to step on the property in Augusta National it’s special – but no one ever forgets the first time.
For Sands, that was back in 2004. Still with the Golf Channel at the time, he was on the field conducting interviews with players before their rounds throughout the week. And, thanks to his relationship with Phil Mickelson, he was able to spend time with her every day before his round.
Going into the final round, Mickelson found himself tied for the lead with Chris DiMarco. And when he arrived at Augusta before his round, Sands asked once again if he would be willing to do an interview with the Golf Channel.
“I give him the puppy dog ​​eyes and ask, ‘Do you want to do it again?'” Sands says. He’s like, ‘Oh man, you know it’s Sunday, I gotta focus.’ I say, ‘No problem.'”
Moments later, however, Mickelson walked out of the clubhouse.
“He says, ‘You guys ready to do it now?'” Sands says. “He said, ‘I’m superstitious. I played well the first three days. We’ve done it three days in a row. There’s no way I can’t do it.’
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As most golf fans will remember, that Sunday was a career-changing day for Mickelson. Later that afternoon, he birdied the 18th hole to capture the green jacket and break his major drought.
The day was a career changer for Sands as well.
“I’m telling you, I was invited back by the Golf Channel and allowed to come back from Augusta National, I think, because we got Phil, put him in a good light, and he went out and won his first major championship ever,” Sands says. “I really owe it to Mickelson for saying yes all four days and then going on to win.”
Watch the entire episode of Subpar below.
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