The 530-yard par five has been the easiest hole throughout the history of the Masters tournament, with a stroke average of 4.79.

But 'Lefty' - a man renowned as one of the most aggressive players in the game - insists he will not be going all out to make birdie or eagle at 15.

Mickelson said: "The biggest thing I look back on - on my three wins relative to the times that I've come close and have not won - has come down into a strategic change on hole 15.

"I played it in the past as a must-birdie and I have made some epic numbers there that have just shot me right out of the tournament," Mickelson, 41, said.

"I look at it totally different now. I'll accept par and I'm not going to complain or try to force a four.

"I'll probably make two birdies and have a 4.5 scoring average on that hole.

Happy

"Maybe I'll get lucky and make an eagle or make a putt or what-have-you, but I'll be happy with one or two birdies there."

Mickelson - who has won three of his four major titles at Augusta - in 2004, 2006 and 2010 - will reach 15 in the last group of day one alongside playing partner Peter Hanson.

But the 41-year-old reckons there will be plenty of birdies this week given the soft and yielding nature of the course.

He added: "It's wet around the greens, and there's no fear of the course. You've got to attack it this week.

"Unless something changes... it's going to be a birdie fest.