Mickelson goes for Number One
Phil Mickelson doesn’t want to practice on a links course before heading to the British Open next week. Mickelson joins a pair of current Major Championship winners at Loch Lomond for the Scottish Open, a tournament that could set him as the World’s number one golfer.
The field of contenders contains three of the four current Majors champions, Mickelson, Graeme McDowell, and Ye Yang. The competition also welcomes 10 of the top 25 players in the world. While some, like Tiger Woods, have chosen to play in an Irish charity tournament or on other links course, Mickelson is fond of Loch Lomond and is actually very wise to play in the Scottish Open since it gives him a chance to attain a position he has yet to reach.
Many big name European golfers are sitting the Scottish Open out to in order to rest or practice for the more prestigious British Open next week at St Andrews. Their absence gives Mickelson a greater chance at finishing in first place, and of outranking Tiger Woods.
If Mickelson can grab second place, he will unseat Woods as the World’s No.1 golfer. Mickelson has four Major titles compared to Woods 14, but the lefty has been in a position to overthrow Woods since the controversy-ridden golfer placed 46th at the AT&T National.
Woods’ drive was outstanding and yet it was the only notable thing about his plays last week. His short game suffered and his putting was off, missing several easy birdies. Mickelson on the other hand has his short-game down pat, and has been performing well with the putter.
Mickelson won this year’s US Masters, and was a favorite for the US Open at Pebble Beach. Mickelson’s popularity with the fans is a reflection of his good natured family oriented perspective. After winning the Masters he took his children out for donuts, still wearing his green winner’s jacket. He warmed the hearts of fans when it was discovered he gave a $100 dollar bill to little girl who had set up a lemonade stand nearby the Arnold Palmer Invitational last March.
Mickelson tied for fourth at the Open, where he has never won despite finishing second five times. He is not a favorite for St. Andrews because he has never played links course particularly well; one of the reasons he is using the Scottish Open as an opportunity to advance in the ranks. US Open winner McDowell will also be playing at Loch Lomond. Other notable big names include 2009 US Open winner Lucas Glover, Ernie Els, Retieft, Goosen and Geoff Ogilvy.
Those missing the event include Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, who will be playing alongside Woods at the McManus Pro-Am. Former Scottish Open winner Lee Westwood will not be on the greens. He had a blood clot scare last week which turned out to be nothing, but will be practicing elsewhere for St. Andrews. Defending champion Martin Kaymer will be back to try and secure his title for a second consecutive year.
Kaymer, 24, was the youngest player to win the Scottish Open and will attempt to make history again by winning the title for a second time.
“To win in Scotland, the home of golf was very special to me,” Kaymer said of his previous win at Loch Lomond.
“I remember after making the last putt, and the bagpipes suddenly started to play” Kaymer recalled, “ I loved that and having the piper lead me down to the green made it even more special. The sound of the bagpipes is the memory that comes into my head whenever I think of the Scottish Open.”
Loch Lomond is situated alongside the most famous stretch of inland water known to Scotland. The 7,100 yard parkland course was designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish and demands a skilled golfer on the fairway and in approach play. The course can be found amongst the top 100 finest golf courses in the world.
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