Golf Events / Editor / 02 July 2007 /

Phil Mickelson has made a quicker-than-expected recovery from a wrist injury and will play at the PGA National event, starting on Thursday at the Congressional Country Club.

It is a rapid return to the fray for the world number two after he missed the cut at the US Open, leaving with his left wrist in a brace.

Ten days of rest appears to have done the trick for 'Lefty', who told his personal website: "Two specialists looked at it and agreed there were injuries in multiple joints but they're much better now because of the rest.

"The cortisone shot helped with one of the joints and there's no real structural damage. The doctors both feel I'm ready to go back and play at 100 percent effort."

The three-time Major champion is expecting to suffer from some discomfort, although he feels it will not aggravate the injury, as he continues his preparations for the Open at Carnoustie, starting on July 19.

Mickelson will play the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, from July 12, and he actually feels the time off he has been forced to take will benefit his challenge at the year's third Major.

"This addition of the AT&T will slightly alter my British Open preparation. I'll leave Sunday night after the tournament for Carnoustie and practice there for three days before starting at Loch Lomond," he added.

"This revision to my course prep may work out great because I should be even fresher and able to put forth the solid major championship effort that I expect to make every time out."

Mickelson has been a steady drifter in the outright winner's market for the Open - now trading at 21, but still the second favourite, having been matched at a low of 10 to small stakes.

Some lucky punters were able to get as much as 40 to small stakes, when his price peaked following his injury.

Tiger Woods, who also makes his return at the PGA National event this weekend following the birth of his first child, remains a strong 4.1 favourite to claim his 13th Major and fourth Open title at Carnoustie.

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