Phil Mickelson British Open preview

The four-time Major winner is right-handed in everything except golf. He started hitting balls at the age of 18 months standing opposite his father and produced a mirror-image of his swing. He is a qualified pilot and Co-Chairman of the American Junior Golf Association. Played twice in the US Walker Cup team and won his first tour event while still an amateur.

The week before his second Masters title in 2006 he won the Bell South Classic by 13 shots. Won his third Masters and his fourth Major in 2010 by three shots from Lee Westwood on a total of 16-under-par. Has finished second in major championships seven times, most recently at Royal St George’s in 2011. A prolific winner in America with almost 40 victories, his latest success was in the 2012 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He also has two European wins to his credit. He has played eight times in the Ryder Cup

Mickelson has grown to love the Open Championship. Sort of. He loves it more now than he did 20 years ago. Last year at Royal St. George’s provided the spark Mickelson needed. He had always struggled while playing in poor conditions but somehow mustered some Sunday magic and got into contention. Ultimately he faltered with the putter over the last eight holes and ended up tied for second place, his best ever finish in this championship.

In fact, a third-place finish at Royal Troon in 2004 was the only other time Mickelson has recorded a top-10 finish here in 18 attempts. He has missed the cut three times and has finished 40th or worse seven other times when he has made the cut.

“I think what was so fun for me about last year was that I was able to make a move in horrible weather and that’s one of the things that has excited me because historically I’ve not played well in bad weather,” Mickelson said. “Now I look at it a little bit differently. I almost welcome it.”

Mickelson finished T-16 at last week’s Scottish Open, but before that, Lefty’s last three PGA Tour starts read like this: WD, T-65, missed cut. Over that span, he hit just 50 percent of his fairways.

Of course, Mickelson has never been the most accurate player, but he’s at least had a modicum of tee box control when he’s won. In 39 of his 40 PGA Tour wins (and all four of his major titles), he’s hit at least half of his fairways. And considering the brutal reviews of the rough at Royal Lytham in recent days, that could spell trouble for Lefty this week.

Age: 42.

Country: United States.

World ranking: 16.

Worldwide wins: 42.

Majors: Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), PGA Championship (2005).

At his best in 2012: Won at Pebble Beach with a 64 while playing with Tiger Woods.

At his worst in 2012: Cited “mental fatigue” (not to mention his irritation with managing the use of cellphones) in pulling out of the Memorial after one round.

British Open moment: Making a Sunday charge at Royal St. George’s last year, only to miss a 3-foot putt on the 11th hole.

Overview: His performance last year was a surprise, because only once (Royal Troon in 2004) had Mickelson been much of a factor. He looks to be a veteran who is only concerned about the majors at this stage in his career. He could surprise again.

WagerWeb.com odds to win: +2800

Tee times (Thursday-Friday Eastern times): 9:43 a.m.-4:31 a.m. —Luke Donald, Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy.

BRITISH OPEN RECORD

Year     pos       r1         r2         r3         r4         total

2011    2          70        69        71        68        278

2010    48        73        71        70        75        289

2008    19        79        68        76        71        294

2007    81        71        77

2006    22        69        71        73        70        283

2005    60        74        67        72        76        289

2004    3          73        66        68        68        275

2003    59        74        72        73        78        297

2002    66        68        76        76        70        290

2001    30        70        72        72        71        285

2000    11        72        66        71        72        281

1999    74        79        76

1998    79        71        74        85        78        308

1997    24        76        68        69        71        284

1996    41        72        71        72        69        284

1995    40        70        71        77        73        291

1994    143      78        74

1991 (A) 73     77        67        73        71        288

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