Profile / Editor / 14 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Phil Mickelson carded a textbook 69 to win The Players Championship - then immediately turned his attention to next month's US Open.

Mickelson fired four birdies, including the first two holes, and just one bogey at the final hole to finish on 11-under-par and claim the $1,620,000 first prize on Sunday - two shots ahead of Spain's Sergio Garcia.

But the champagne had barely settled before Mickelson turned his thoughts to the US Open at Oakmont Country Club, which starts on June 11.

Mickelson, who has been working with coach Butch Harmon for just three weeks, said: "I think if I keep working at these things and progressing, I should be ready to take on the ultimate tough challenge at Oakmont."

Mickelson is hoping to banish the memory of last year's final hole double bogey at Winged Foot Golf Club, a costly blunder that handed the tournament to Australian Geoff Ogilvy.

"I can't wait for Oakmont, because that's the tournament where I want to make a statement that last year didn't affect me. I want a victory," he added.

"We'll start preparation for the US Open very soon, but in the meantime I plan on spending some more time with Butch in the coming weeks to make sure I continue to progress in the changes and direction we want."

Mickelson will be looking for home comforts at a tournament which in modern times has been won almost exclusively by players from the United States - since 1950, players from only four nations other than America have won the championship - and is likely to be prominent when trading get underway for the US Open.