Golf Events / Editor / 27 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Phil Mickelson has confirmed that he will play in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond as he fine-tunes his game for the Open Championship

The world number two injured his wrist in the build up to the US Open and was clearly hampered in his first two rounds as he missed the cut at Oakmont, before pulling out of the following tournament stateside - the Travelers Championship, and the Buick Open, which starts on Thursday.

The 37-year-old is sure to be among Betfair's favourites for the pre-Open tournament north of the border when the market opens but will face stiff competition with the likes of US Open champion Angel Cabrera, Ernie Els, Luke Donald, Retief Goosen and Sergio Garcia in the line-up.

'Lefty' has made four previous appearances at Loch Lomond, with a seventh-place finish in 2000 his best effort to date, but the San Diego-born star is looking forward to getting used to conditions on this side of the pond before the third major of the year.

"I like to compete the week before a major if I can and going to the Scottish Open also helps me to acclimatise,'" he said.

"I'm well aware it's an inland course rather than a links, but I'm sure I'll get the chance to play some links golf around the event."

Mickelson's injury problem had caused many in the media to question whether he would be fit to play at Carnoustie between July 19-22, but the American, who trades at 20 to win the Open, confirmed that he is on top of the situation and looking after his body.

"I'm taking a couple of weeks off unusually for me in the middle of the season, seeing my doctors, continuing my therapy and getting in shape for the rest of the season.," he added.

In Mickelson's and Tiger Woods' absence, Jim Furyk is the pre-tournament favourite for this week's Buick Open in Michigan and trades at 6, with Scott Verplank on offer at 20 and Sean O'Hair available at 21.