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Two Masters champions will spend two years without encountering each other at the major, two decades after their infamous locker room altercation. Phil Mickelson (2004, 06, 10) - who has pulled out of this year's tournament - and Vijay Singh (2000) - who withdrew from last year's event - clashed in dramatic circumstances back in 2005. At the same major forever associated with Tiger Woods' legendary chip-in on 16, the duo came to blows following the second round on Friday.

Singh, who had earlier that year sparked controversy in the golfing world by demanding officials inspect Woods' driver at Bay Hill, appeared to be causing trouble once more. This time, his complaint was aimed at Lefty's spikes - claiming they were leaving substantial damage and gouges in the greens.

At hole 12, Singh called over an official to file a complaint against Mickelson, who was playing in the group in front. The 54-year-old, who had switched from 6mm to 8mm spikes just weeks earlier, was immediately notified of the complaint.

He was also told, according to reports, that his spikes would be filed down if considered necessary. His playing partner at the time, Stuart Appleby, joked, "What are they going to send? A blacksmith?"

As it happened, no filing was needed, and former Augusta National competition chair Will Nicholson quickly resolved the matter. "One of our officials talked to Phil to see if there was a burr on the side of one of his spikes," he said. "He very generously, as you know he would, said he would change them when he got in if there was a problem. There wasn't."

The controversy did not conclude there, however, as Mickelson voiced his irritation to journalists after the round.

"I was extremely distracted and would have appreciated if it would have been handled differently or after the round," said Mickelson. "After sitting in the locker room for a while, I heard Vijay talking to other players about it, and I confronted him. He expressed his concerns. I expressed my disappointment with the way it was handled."

Nevertheless, multiple reports from that period depict a considerably more volatile scene. Accounts indicate that after hearing Singh discussing him in the locker room, Mickelson confronted the Fijian and branded him a 'motherf*****'. It is also alleged that Mickelson suggested Singh take matters outside. Predictably, that never came to pass.

One individual who has since confirmed the confrontation is Woods' former caddie, Steve Williams. Speaking about the incident on 'Chasing Majors', while acknowledging that Mickelson's spikes surpassed typical length but stayed within regulations, he remarked, "I think it was just Phil and Vijay.

"I understand there was a bit of a heated conversation in the locker room. There's no love lost between those two, that's for sure." Mickelson finished 10th, Singh shared fifth place, and Woods claimed his fourth Green Jacket.

"Mickelson's stance towards Singh appears to have softened considerably over the years, with the 6-foot-3 LIV Golf player coming to his rival's defence in 2020."

Singh had evidently drawn criticism from certain quarters for accepting a spot on the Korn Ferry Tour - traditionally a development pathway for players seeking to reach the PGA Tour.

Lefty, however, came to Singh's defense. Taking to X, he wrote at the time: "It's no secret VJ and I aren't close, but I'd like to say on his behalf that in addition to being a member of the HofF, he's a big part of the PGA Tour's success which financially subsidizes, and always has, the KFT. He has earned the right to play when and where he wants."