General / Editor / 06 February 2007 /

Phil Mickelson is looking for a marked improvement in his putting as he prepares for the AT&T National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach in California this week.

The 36-year-old began his season at the Bob Hope Classic but has failed to hit the heights and is without a top-40 finish in his three tournaments to date
in 2007.

The three-time major winner was on the cusp of making it four at last year's US Open but a double-bogey at the last saw him lose out to Geoff Ogilvy and the chance to make it back-to-back majors after winning the Masters in April.

The left-hander's season tailed off after the disappointment at Winged Foot and he was ineffectual for the US Ryder Cup team as they lost to Europe at the K Club in Dublin.

The Californian resident is normally at his best on the West Coast and admits that he needs to start performing on the greens to kick-start his season.

"It's not the start that I want to the year," he said. "I need to get the putter working.

"I saw improvement, I drove the ball well and hit some good iron shots, but what I didn't do well is putt.

"I felt awful stroking it, and it doesn't get any easier over at Pebble. The greens at the TPC Scottsdale are very good."

With Tiger Woods opting to miss this week's tournament, the betting is wide open with Vijay Singh currently trading as the 10.5 favourite and Mickelson on offer at 15.5.

Jim Furyk is available at 13.5, while Englishman Luke Donald is trading at 14 with Padraig Harrington offered at 19.

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