Mickelson second best again

Phil Mickelson was today back up to second in the world rankings just in time for the British Open Championship – but not quite in the manner he wanted.

A 1/25 favourite with five holes of the final round of the Barclays Scottish Open to play at Loch Lomond yesterday, Mickelson squandered a three-shot lead before losing a play-off to world number 320 Gregory Havret.

Second place was still enough for the left-hander to move ahead of Jim Furyk to world number two, but an erratic finish of three birdies and three bogeys in the last six holes – and another bogey on the 18th in sudden death – left the three-time major champion with plenty to ponder on the short journey to Carnoustie.

Mickelson has had only one top-10 finish in 14 appearances at the Open, missing out on the play-off between Ernie Els and winner Todd Hamilton by one shot at Troon three years ago.

Last year, it looked like he would still be on course for the Grand Slam following his second US Masters victory at Augusta, only for a double bogey on the 72nd hole of the US Open at Winged Foot to hand the title to Geoff Ogilvy.

In the end, the 37-year-old finished 22nd at Hoylake as Tiger Woods won his second straight British Open title.

Mickelson will need to improve at Carnoustie to deny Woods the first British Open hat-trick since Peter Thomson in 1956.

At least second place was a vast improvement on his last two starts, both missed cuts after he injured a wrist practising for the US Open at Oakmont.

“Greg played very solid golf and I played very erratic golf,” admitted Mickelson, who has already made his customary early visit to Carnoustie.

“I made birdies and bogeys, he played steady and ultimately that won out. The back nine was a fight for me, but when he plays solid like that not only does he deserve to win, but he makes himself very tough to beat.

“After seeing that, it is set up wonderfully – I am looking forward to playing the British Open.”

Behind Mickelson, but no doubt in considerably better spirits, were two more players with eyes on the Claret Jug this week – Els and Luke Donald.

Els came roaring into contention by playing eight holes around the turn in six under par.

But, although he also birdied the 455-yard 18th for the fourth day in a row after a bogey on the 16th, a closing 65 was not enough.

The South African has still to win a title this year – his 2007 South African Airways Open win actually came in December – but the 2002 Open champion took heart from his performance.

“I really wanted to shoot low,” he said. “It felt good on the range, but it was kind of up and down. I am little disappointed about 16 and my birdie putt on 17, but it was a nice finish.

“When I hit the putt (from 40 feet) I said to myself ’I’ve birdied this hole the last three days, so this putt can’t miss’.

“I’ve been looking to get some form going into a major and didn’t have it for the first two this year. But I have now.”

Donald came out of the pack with a closing 64 to finish joint fourth alongside Els’ compatriots Louis Oosthuizen and Richard Sterne.