Steve Pratt's Hit it longer.com

Phil Mickelson seems to be poised to win his 2nd tournament in a row at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera, thanks in part to a hot putter and some really outstanding wedge play.  But is his golf swing solid enough to continue this streak?

Look at the beautiful release position Mickelson is putting himself in on some swings.  Wrists are recocked and the lead humerus bone is externally rotated causing the elbow to point down.  If he can pivot through impact like Mike Austin used to, then yes, he will continue to dominate.   But unfortunately he doesn't always pivot into what Mike called the 'under' position, especially on the driver.

The difference occurs when he stops his lateral shift early, which then causes the hips to turn.  His left side does not drop low enough and he ends up stuck in an over the top position.  Any free release from there would cause a bad smother hook.  Phil must then hold onto the release and block the ball well into the left rough.

Can you spot the subtle differences here?  In his Pebble Beach win, he was able to freewheel through impact on every swing on the back nine, because his shoulders were turning on an efficient axis through impact.  It reminded me of the time a couple years ago when he shot a 29 on the front nine at Augusta to nearly rally to win.  It was 9 incredible holes capped with an epic hole out for eagle on #7, which was a big draw.  Phil nearly holed out Saturday at Riviera on hole 16, hitting a draw into a back right pin.  And remember his 'seal the deal' wedge at the 18th at Pebble....yep, front right hole position.

Let's take a look at two different pivots.  The difference is subtle, but what I see everyday coaching better players:

I believe this error is a faulty correction to avoid being too far inside.  Phil's shoulder wheel is tending push the moment he draws the club away, and the bad pivot is the way to get the ball starting more straight.  So watch for Phil's downswing pivot to see if he makes a strong lateral shift before turning through.  You'll see a full and free release and a sense of 'touch', and the ball will probably being drawing in right on the pin.

But if he keeps holing 100+ feet of putts on Sundays, like at Pebble, then a few erratic drives won't phase him.