Newsday (N.Y.): Mickelson eager for links at British Open
By Art Spander
Special to Newsday
SANDWICH, England -- It hasn't been his tournament, except once, in 17 years. Phil Mickelson and the British Open have become virtual enemies. Something happens when he comes across the Atlantic, and more significantly comes upon a linksland course.
In 2004, the year he won the Masters, the year he made such a gallant run at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Mickelson led the British Open on the back nine the final day. That was at Royal Troon, on the west coast of Scotland. He missed by a shot of making the playoff in which Todd Hamilton beat Ernie Els.
"I love this tournament," was Mickelson's comment. "I just haven't played well in the past." He said that at Troon seven years ago. For all intents he said it again this week, slightly modified.
"I'm not trying to fix any past poor play," was his explanation heading into Thursday's first round of the 2011 Open at Royal St. George's, "I'm trying to come here and play the way links golf should be played . . . I actually really enjoy it."
Even if he doesn't enjoy his record, the lone top-10 finish. The last time the Open was held at Royal St. George's, along the English Channel on the southeast tip of England, in 2003, Mickelson tied for 59th.
At age 41, Mickelson is attempting to persuade himself the Open is new.
"I'm trying to pretend it's my first time here," he said, "and appreciate playing the ball on the ground on days when the wind blows and appreciate being able to play some through the air when the wind is a little bit calmer."
To those in the New York Metropolitan area, where Mickelson has been successful, winning the PGA at Baltusrol in 2005, leading the U.S. Open at Winged Foot for 71 holes in 2006, coming down to the wire at Shinnecock and at Bethpage Black in 2002 and 2009, it may be difficult to imagine he can't play well on any course.
But links golf, on rolling fairways full of bunkers and blind shots, bewilders Mickelson. The skills he exhibits with a wedge or with a putter, are negated. It's difficult to spin a shot on a green as hard as cement when the wind is gusting 30 mph.
"I enjoy being rewarded for a precise shot," said Mickelson, "and having the ball end up close to the hole if you hit it really well. But I'm coming to enjoy the challenge links golf provides."
To that end he played in the Scottish Open last week at Castle Stuart, a new links course near Inverness. He never made it to the leaderboard, but he did make the cut.
Because of quirky bounces of links golf, luck often is involved, but as Jack Nicklaus pointed out, the player with the most good breaks usually is the one who hits the most good shots.
For Mickelson's practice round Tuesday, the wind was howling. Upwind, he couldn't reach the 243-yard, par-3 11th with a full driver, but downwind he could rip a ball 380 yards off the tee on the 426-yard, par-4 17th.
"I don't think the scores will be ridiculously low here," Mickelson said. "I think making No. 4 [at 495 yards] a par 4 [from a 5] immediately knocks four shots off the score relative to par. So we're going to have a tough time breaking par over four rounds."
For someone wanting to think positively, Phil Mickelson seems all too negative.
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http://www.newsday.com/sports/golf/mickelson-eager-for-links-at-british-open-1.3022529
Copyright © 2011 Newsday. All rights reserved.
Special to Newsday
SANDWICH, England -- It hasn't been his tournament, except once, in 17 years. Phil Mickelson and the British Open have become virtual enemies. Something happens when he comes across the Atlantic, and more significantly comes upon a linksland course.
In 2004, the year he won the Masters, the year he made such a gallant run at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Mickelson led the British Open on the back nine the final day. That was at Royal Troon, on the west coast of Scotland. He missed by a shot of making the playoff in which Todd Hamilton beat Ernie Els.
"I love this tournament," was Mickelson's comment. "I just haven't played well in the past." He said that at Troon seven years ago. For all intents he said it again this week, slightly modified.
"I'm not trying to fix any past poor play," was his explanation heading into Thursday's first round of the 2011 Open at Royal St. George's, "I'm trying to come here and play the way links golf should be played . . . I actually really enjoy it."
Even if he doesn't enjoy his record, the lone top-10 finish. The last time the Open was held at Royal St. George's, along the English Channel on the southeast tip of England, in 2003, Mickelson tied for 59th.
At age 41, Mickelson is attempting to persuade himself the Open is new.
"I'm trying to pretend it's my first time here," he said, "and appreciate playing the ball on the ground on days when the wind blows and appreciate being able to play some through the air when the wind is a little bit calmer."
To those in the New York Metropolitan area, where Mickelson has been successful, winning the PGA at Baltusrol in 2005, leading the U.S. Open at Winged Foot for 71 holes in 2006, coming down to the wire at Shinnecock and at Bethpage Black in 2002 and 2009, it may be difficult to imagine he can't play well on any course.
But links golf, on rolling fairways full of bunkers and blind shots, bewilders Mickelson. The skills he exhibits with a wedge or with a putter, are negated. It's difficult to spin a shot on a green as hard as cement when the wind is gusting 30 mph.
"I enjoy being rewarded for a precise shot," said Mickelson, "and having the ball end up close to the hole if you hit it really well. But I'm coming to enjoy the challenge links golf provides."
To that end he played in the Scottish Open last week at Castle Stuart, a new links course near Inverness. He never made it to the leaderboard, but he did make the cut.
Because of quirky bounces of links golf, luck often is involved, but as Jack Nicklaus pointed out, the player with the most good breaks usually is the one who hits the most good shots.
For Mickelson's practice round Tuesday, the wind was howling. Upwind, he couldn't reach the 243-yard, par-3 11th with a full driver, but downwind he could rip a ball 380 yards off the tee on the 426-yard, par-4 17th.
"I don't think the scores will be ridiculously low here," Mickelson said. "I think making No. 4 [at 495 yards] a par 4 [from a 5] immediately knocks four shots off the score relative to par. So we're going to have a tough time breaking par over four rounds."
For someone wanting to think positively, Phil Mickelson seems all too negative.
- - - - - -
http://www.newsday.com/sports/golf/mickelson-eager-for-links-at-british-open-1.3022529
Copyright © 2011 Newsday. All rights reserved.