Phil Mickelson hopeful to win the Open Championship this time around
There will be just a handful of players at this year’s Open Championship at Royal St. George’s, who will be working hard to keep the American flag flying high in face of rampaging European brigade.
Steve Stricker, currently number five on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and winner of the Memorial on PGA Tour, is one of the hopefuls of the event alongside Nick Watney, who clinched his second title for the season last week at AT&T National at
Aronimink Golf Club.
But one of the most celebrated and most revered of all the Americans, who will be teeing-off at Sandwich, is none other than the “Lefty”, Phil Mickelson himself. With just one title for the season, the big left-handed golfer has been otherwise looking to
regain his lost form which has earned him several major titles in the past. The American, however, is hardly taken aback with the poor form.
“I am really excited. I feel my game is right there and Loch Lomond was great, but playing at a links style course the week before the British Open is an ideal way to get ready.” Mickelson was talking about this week’s Barclays Scottish Open ahead of the
Open Championship scheduled from July 14. “I love playing the week before a major and getting acclimatised.”
Mickelson was touted as the most under-rated American player whose era was grossly overshadowed by Tiger Woods. He was one of the favourites among his countrymen who could possibly challenge Woods for the number one spot but failed to do so even after three
years of his fall from the top. Lee Westwood went over, instead, to claim the number one slot after Woods’ fall from the stardom.
“I don't look too closely at the position,” said Mickelson. “If you play well, you get rewarded. I don't look at the system in depth. It rewards good play - and I need to play better.”
The 41-year-old has been fighting the dreadful Arthritis for a long time now and has suffered from it both on and off the course. Just before his bid for the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in 2010, Mickelson had announced of his prognosis about Psoriatic
arthritis and also revealed that he has turned into a vegetarian to help fight the disease. He also undertook weight loss sessions to help maintain his form in the sport.
Mickelson posted a horrible score on PGA Tour event earlier in the year but reverted to working hard on his short putting and ended up winning the Shell Houston Open, recording a massive score of 20-under. He took over Scott Verplank with a three-stroke
lead. With his win Mickelson rose to number three in the world rankings after Woods has dropped to number seven.
Michelson has never won the Open Championship despite his victories at both Masters and PGA Championship. He will be more than happy to break the taboo.
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