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Mickelson fears over-focusing on No.1 spot

Phil Mickelson won The Masters in April © Getty Images

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Phil Mickelson has admitted that he fears he will miss out on becoming the world's No. 1 if he focuses too much on that target.

Mickelson, who has never before reached the summit of the rankings, will overtake Tiger Woods at the top if he wins the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial over the weekend.

"It would be something very special," he said. "But to accomplish that, I can't focus on that. I still need to go out and play like the No. 1 player in the world."

Masters winner Mickelson is a two-time victor at Colonial, with his most recent triumph arriving by a one-stroke margin in 2008. He was unable to defend his title last year as the competition arrived shortly after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer - a period that he concedes was a difficult one.

"I don't really want to go back there. … That was a tough time," he said. "I'm happy that we are a year down the road and that long-term things are good, and that I am able to come back and enjoy this event."

In Mickelson's absence, Steve Stricker claimed the title in 2009 after winning a three-way playoff. The world No. 4, who returns to golf at the Crowne Invitational following a chest injury, knows he will be pushed hard as he bids to retain the trophy.

"I think [Mickelson] going to be tough to beat here," Stricker said. "I think he will be coming back here with his game in shape and winning here a couple of years ago, obviously he's got some good vibes, too.

"There is still some tightness [in my chest] or a twinge here and there. But it was going to be a hard decision to stay home this week and give it another week of rest. I don't know if it's totally healed yet, but I'm swinging without any pain."

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