Exactly one week before a new Masters champion will be crowned at Augusta, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had an impressive day herself at the famed course.

Rice, who has been playing golf for eight years, was one of two women to be granted membership to the traditionally all-male course last year. And when three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson heard that Rice was now a member of the course, he says he quickly made plans to play a round with her.

And on Sunday, Mickelson wasn't let down. He described the experience as "awesome" and had some impressive remarks for Rice.

"Perfect pace,” Mickelson told the Associated Press. "Her speed, touch, being able to read the greens ... one of the better members on the greens that I've seen."

Rice and Mickelson played in a group that included Mickelson's agent, Steve Loy. Rice, a 17 handicap, finished the round with a net birdie. She had several impressive shots, including a 40-foot putt on the 18th hole.

Mickelson said there was never a shortage of things for the group to talk about.

"She kept asking about the course, and I kept asking her about countries," Mickelson said. "It was really fun. And she really can putt."

Rice bumped into Tiger Woods, who attended Stanford while she was the school's provost, on the course Sunday. The two hugged and chatted briefly before Rice headed into the clubhouse.