Mickelson set to defend Masters title

AUGUSTA, Ga., April 5 (UPI) -- Defending champion Phil Mickelson is paired with U.S. Amateur winner Peter Uihlein and Geoff Ogilvy for the opening round of the Masters, which begins Thursday.

Masters tradition has the previous year's winner playing in a threesome with the U.S. Amateur winner. This year Mickelson, Uihlein and Ogilvy begin play at 1:48 p.m. EDT Thursday.

Mickelson is looking for a career fourth Masters title, which would tie him with Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods for second most wins at Augusta National. Only Jack Nicklaus, who won the tournament six times, has won it more often. A victory this week would also boost Mickelson to a world No. 1 ranking.

"Every time I'm here, I get re-energized for the game of golf," Mickelson said Tuesday. "(For) 38 1/2 years I've played this game and I have such a passion for this game. When I come back to Augusta National, I remember how much I loved it as a kid."

Woods will be playing in a group with U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell and Robert Allenby. They have a 10:41 a.m. EDT Thursday tee time.

World No. 1 Martin Kaymer is paired with second-ranked Lee Westwood and Matt Kuchar, who leads the world money list. They'll be two groups ahead of Woods's, starting at 10:19 a.m. EDT Thursday.