Mickelson adds steel to swing

Phil Mickelson has finally joined the fitness craze on the US PGA Tour, but do not expect him to resemble Charles Atlas by the end of the year.

"I will always have fat on me," Mickelson said at the Phoenix Open."I've got subcutaneous fat. There's nothing I can do. It lies underneath the skin, as opposed to underneath the muscle. And as long as I feel better and get stronger, then I can't really worry about body fat."

Mickelson believes he needs to get fitter and stronger to take advantage of the new equipment in his bag – the Titleist 983K driver and the Pro V1x ball designed for higher swing speeds.

His personal trainer, Sean Cochran, who dabbles in the martial arts, has Mickelson working with a medicine ball to improve speed and a physioball to improve strength.

Since starting the programme late last year Mickelson says he soon noticed a difference and has not missed a day. He also said Cochran will accompany him to some tournaments.

"I haven't been able to lose a pound, but I've been taking a lot of supplements," Mickelson said. "Actually, I've been trying to put on a little weight before I take it off – build up more muscle mass, then it burns more calories."

That will allow him to hit the ball farther and have more control with his irons. His commitment has, he says, improved both his quality of life and performance on the tour.

He started with a tie for ninth in the Phoenix Open. Mickelson is the defending champion at the Bob Hope Classic here this week, then plays in the next two events.