• European Tour

Mickelson: I need to stop wasting so many shots

Phil Mickelson is searching for some links form © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Mickelson rediscovers touch with 64
  
• Profile: Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson has admitted he needs to improve his game by "five or six shots" a round as he bids to get himself back into form ahead of the Open Championship.

Mickelson, a four-time major winner, cut short a planned family holiday to Rome in order to accept a late invite to play in this week's Scottish Open - a links course tune-up before heading to Royal Lytham & St Annes next week.

The left-hander did not get off to a great start on Thursday, carding a one-over par round of 73, but remains hopeful that he will find his touch over the remainder of the tournament.

"Over the last two months I've played poorly and I added this week because I need to play more," said Mickelson, who finished in a share of second at the Open 12 months ago. "We were over in Italy and my family were at the Vatican today. I was supposed to stay with them until Friday but I needed to get a little more playing time in.

"I'm not just throwing one or two shots away on the golf course, it's four, five or six shots. I've got to try to get that resolved. I think the best way for me to get through this is to play more.

"Was I tempted to find divine help in Rome? You know, I've never been a big fan of that. I think that everyone is looked on equally and you've got to make your own destiny.

"Can I find my game in a week? We're working on it - that's why I'm here."

Not every player in search of form is at Castle Stuart this week, however - Rory McIlroy and friend Graeme McDowell have already travelled to Lytham to start their Open preparations.

"Good practice at Royal Lytham St Annes today [Thursday]!" McIlroy said on Twitter. "Course in great shape and always fun to play a few holes with my mate."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.