2005 BellSouth Classic Mickelson Preps for Masters, Plays BellSouth By Associated Press - March 30, 2005 DULUTH, Ga. -- Phil Mickelson believes the field at this week's BellSouth Classic is strong -- despite the absence of the top three players in the world. "We have so many quality players on the tour that we have a competitive field every week no matter who plays," Mickelson said Wednesday in an effort to downplay the fact that Vijay Singh, Tigers Woods and Ernie Els won't be in attendance. Mickelson, fourth in the world rankings, highlights the field, along with defending champion Zach Johnson, who has finished third in his last three events. Also in the field, which begins play Thursday at the 7,293-yard, par-72 TPC at Sugarloaf, are No. 5 Retief Goosen, No. 10 Stewart Cink, No. 13 Stuart Appleby and No. 15 Chris DiMarco. For Mickelson, the tournament provides a chance to get ready for next week's Masters. Mickelson was at Augusta National on Tuesday, spending about 10 hours there. He played a round and got in some practice afterwards in preparation for defending his lone major title. "It went really well. It was fun to get down there and see the course in such wonderful shape," he said. "And this course is in such wonderful shape, they are very similar, and this will be a great preparation for a lot of guys who are playing next week," said Mickelson, who leads the tour in earnings with more than $2.7 million. He has two wins and a second-place finish in seven starts this season. "This will be a big week for me to get momentum and get confidence in the way I've been playing. I've put a lot of time in, now it's time to start having it pay off," Mickelson said after a practice round. Last week at the Players Championship, Mickelson finished tied for 40th. Johnson, whose only win came here last year in his rookie season, finished third at Doral, Bayhill and the Players Championship -- earning $652,000 in those three and $902,000 overall in nine starts this year. "I feel good with where my game is at. Just kind of a stretch where you want to get things rolling," Johnson said. Johnson is also thinking about next week, when he'll make his first appearance at the Masters. "About a month ago I wasn't keying on it. It's hard but at the same time, just another week and that's my approach," said Johnson, who has never stepped on the course in Augusta. "I enjoy this course and it's a very good one to prepare for Augusta. Although I haven't seen Augusta, I can see the resemblances. So it should be a good steppingstone to next week." Divots: The field includes 22 players who are entered in next week's Masters as well as four previous Masters champions: Mickelson, two-time winner Jose Maria Olazabal, Larry Mize and Ian Woosnam. ... Woosnam, the European Ryder Cup captain in 2006, says he looks forward to playing in the BellSouth every year. "I'll just be happy to make the cut," said Woosnam, who added he would play 20-22 events this year if his back holds up.