Mickelson mulls over weather

Home

Phil Mickelson is hoping he will end up with a favourable draw at next week's' Open Championship at Royal Troon.

The weather often plays a role in golf, especially on the Scottish links courses based on the always gusty and often wet coastline.

The American is expecting it to be no different when he tees off at 145th Open on Thursday.

"I hear the argument that, no matter how it is set up, the course will be the same for everyone," the 46-year-old told Golf Digest. 

"But sometimes that is not the case. Conditions can be bad for the morning players and not for those playing in the afternoon. But that is just the luck of the draw."

Mickelson, whose last professional win was at 2013 Open, is looking forward to the unique challenge links golf provides. In particular, the tight pin placements the Open has become known for.

The PGA veteran added that is tricky for the tournament organisers to stri9ke the correct balance between a challenging setup and a playable setup.

"It's always a challenge to find the line between identifying the best players or just embarrassing them,” said Mickelson.

"Any time you go close to that line it is hard not to go over it. The R&A likes to use some interesting pins. The USGA puts more emphasis on tee-to-green. They have very tight fairways, extremely long rough and very quick greens. They try to 'trick it up' to where par is a good score.

"But the fact is that today's players are so much better than they were 100 years ago, so par is not a good score. So you have to cross the line to make par a good score. And that line is always gray."

Home News

Latest