Phil Mickelson shot a back-nine 30 to get himself just a shot back of the lead in the 2012 Masters. (Getty Images)

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Absolute silence. 

That is what blanketed the 18th hole as Phil Mickelson just hit one of the most remarkable shots of this 2012 Masters from the left trees that seemed like only Phil could do. 

Honestly, how many times would a guy say, watching Phil stand over that shot on the 18th, "He's got this one." Yeah, just a 40 yard hook that started out near the 9th hole's pin position, only to land halfway up the famous hill that helped assist Phil on his first Masters tournament eight years ago. 

The bottom line is, when Phil needs magic, the back nine at Augusta National is where he goes, almost like a Fountain of Youth to his golf game. Phil had made nine straight boring pars on Saturday to start his round, and looked like the magic that ended his round on Friday was all but done. 

2012 Masters

But this is Phil. A guy that never seems to let a moment slide by and honestly, has there been a better Masters for Phil to step up in? Tiger Woods is done. Rory McIlroy was again collapsing in what seemed to be his destined green jacket. 

Door ajar, hello Phil.

Things got started with a dart on the tough 10th. Phil logged a birdie there, followed it up with a solid putt on No. 12 and then came the 13th, a place of many Mickelson dramatics. 

In the last Mickelson Masters, it was the 13th on Sunday that was the turning point for a third green jacket. Now, it seems to be the spot where Phil woke up and realized this thing was wide open, and someone needed to do something. 

Eagle there, flop shop birdie on No. 15 and then that swinging hook on 18 that seemed destined to match what Peter Hanson had just done five minutes previous. 

On Tuesday, Phil was asked what winning a fourth green jacket would mean to him. He answered, almost cooly, "A lot." Pushed on the question, Phil said, "It would mean an awful lot." 

Well Phil, you just played yourself into that scenario.