Mickelson hopeful for British Open

Phil Mickelson is not expecting his recent wrist injury to reduce his chances of winning next week’s British Open – or this week’s Scottish Open.

“It’s OK. Not 100%, but I don’t think it will affect my shots,” said the American, who has missed his last two halfway cuts in the States after hurting himself practising for the US Open.

In 14 appearances at the British Open, Mickelson has only been in contention on the last day once, finishing a stroke behind Todd Hamilton and Ernie Els at Royal Troon in 2004.

That followed a missed cut at Loch Lomond the week before, but the world number three does not want to follow that route to Carnoustie, where he has already been practising.

“I’ve not played in the (British) Open as well as I would have liked. I’ve still to perfect some of the shot-making, but I don’t think this week’s course is really that different. You have to keep the ball below the trees here.

“I like to play the week before and I am hoping to play well.”

He won his second Masters title last year seven days after taking the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta by an amazing 13 strokes.

Having won two Masters and one US PGA, Mickelson added: “I would love to win the remaining two (majors). That would be a goal.”

This is the 37-year-old’s first appearance in Europe since he took only half a point from five games in the Ryder Cup at the K Club near Dublin last September.