Mickelson makes major plans

Phil Mickelson today showed just how serious he is about next month’s British Open at Hoylake, flying in by private jet with his caddie, short-game coach Dave Pelz and his father for a first practice round.

The world number two, who would have been going for a clean sweep of the majors if only he had parred the final hole of the US Open two weeks ago, spent four hours researching the back nine, had a bite to eat and then went out again onto the front nine.

The Royal Liverpool Club hosts the Open for the first time since 1967, so for the majority of players in the field there is even more reason to learn the lay-out than normal.

Mickelson’s regular major routine now is to make an advance trip to the site and work in private, but this is the first time he has made a special visit to Britain for that sole purpose.