Augusta, Ga. ? Little did we know Phil Mickelson’s victory in the 2004 Masters signaled the beginning of another golden era in golf.

Since then, seven of the last nine major championships have been won by four of the game’s “Big Five.” Mickelson owns three of them with his two Masters titles and last year’s PGA Championship. Tiger Woods won the Masters and the British Open in 2005.

Retief Goosen outdueled Mickelson to win the 2004 U.S. Open. Vijay Singh took home the 2004 PGA Championship.

Even in the other majors won by a so-called underdog, there was a Big Five presence.

Todd Hamilton had to hold off Ernie Els in a playoff to win the 2004 British Open, and Woods finished second to Michael Campbell in the 2005 U.S. Open.

Recent Masters history is on par with other standout eras.

From 1950-54, Sam Snead and Ben Hogan took turns winning the green jacket, with Snead winning in the even-

numbered years.

From 1962-65, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus were the stars of the every-other-year routine, with Palmer winning in 1962 and 1964 and Nicklaus in 1963 and 1965.

Now it’s Mickelson and Woods who are doing it.

Mickelson won in 2004, Woods in 2005 and Mickelson in 2006.

Will Mickelson be putting the green jacket on Woods in 2007?

“I really don’t want to trade next year,” Mickelson said. “I certainly enjoyed having the jacket put on me rather than putting it on (somebody else).”

It’s the kind of dynamic golf fans wished for during Woods’ one-man blitzkrieg from the 1999 PGA Championship through the 2002 U.S. Open.

Woods still remains the man to beat. He seems to be in contention in every major while the others fade in and out.

Mickelson, though, has stepped up.

Don’t think “Lefty” doesn’t relish having won more majors than Woods (3-2) since 2004.

After foundering for so long, Mickelson has found the formula for winning the big ones. Sunday, he shared the credit with his swing coaches, Rick Smith and Dave Pelz.

Before a major, the three of them visit the tournament venue to map out a strategy.

Their trek to Augusta convinced them Mickelson would be better off using two drivers; one for a long draw and the other for a controlled fade.

“I couldn’t have done this by myself,” Mickelson said.

“I’ve practiced hard (in the past), but maybe I didn’t practice the right way or on the right things. The help from Dave Pelz or Rick Smith has really given me guidance.

“When I do spend time practicing, I’m spending it on the right things to help me prepare my best and play my best.”

Mickelson never has been better than in Sunday’s final round.

On Sunday he became the first player other than Woods to win consecutive majors since Nick Price in 1994.

The only thing that has been missing is an epic Woods-Mickelson staredown in the final round of a major similar to those Palmer and Nicklaus staged during their time. It’s coming, maybe at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot.

When that round does happen, it will signify that this truly is a golden era for golf.