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Mickelson wary of British threat at St Andrews

Phil Mickelson is relishing the 17th hole © Getty Images

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ESPN.co.uk will be providing comprehensive coverage from the Open at St Andrews, with a live leaderboard and interactive commentary as well as breaking news, views and reaction.

Phil Mickelson has acknowledged the threat of the British contingent ahead of the 2010 Open Championship at St Andrews.

Mickelson, whose best finish at the Open was third place back in 2004, is aware that the world top 10 rankings have become saturated with British players over recent months. Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy have all been playing some of the best golf of their careers, while Graeme McDowell recently claimed his first Major at the US Open.

Justin Rose is another to watch out for after PGA Tour victories at the Memorial Tournament and AT&T National in June, and Mickelson is not taking any of his rivals lightly. The American can claim the world No. 1 spot with a triumphant weekend at St Andrews, but he knows the British threat is one he cannot ignore.

"Those names are all solid, just like Graeme," Mickelson said on Sky Sports News. "Lee Westwood's playing some great golf. Darren Clarke had a great week last week and, even though his name hasn't been mentioned recently, he's playing some really good golf and should have a good week as well.

"Monty [Colin Montgomerie] finished second in 2005. There's a guy in his mid-to-late forties but you've got to consider him a threat here, in addition to many of the younger players."

Mickelson is looking forward to the revised course at St Andrews, which features a more testing 17th hole. A longer iron shot towards the green will be required, but it is a challenge the world No. 2 relishes.

"I like the harder holes to be hard and the easier holes to be easy. That way you get a lot of birdies and a lot of bogeys. That creates more turnover on the leaderboard, so making 17 harder is a good thing because it's consistent with my overall philosophy."

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