Mickelson’s halfway to achieving that goal in clinching three Masters (2004, 2006 and 2010) along with the 2005 U.S. PGA Championship.And while the current World No. 6 may have incorrectly stated the number to be six, there was no doubting the 41-year old’s enthusiasm on the eve of the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart near Inverness.
Phil Mickelson stands a better chance of winning the 'Grand Slam' than his family had of spotting 'Nessie'.
“There’s only six players who have won the career Grand Slam, and I look at those players in a different light,” he said.
“I have not won either the U.S. or British Open and that would be a great goal for me to set as I go on with my career.
“I’ve had many opportunities in the U.S. Open and I’ve come close and I believe that I’ll ultimately win there but the biggest challenge for me has been in the British Open and there are two reasons.
“The biggest reason is the greens. I have not putted the greens well. The grass is a little more coarse, more thicker, has a little more effect, and you need to putt with less break and be more aggressive is what I’ve come to find.
“So I am going to try and do that this week and next week, and see if that doesn’t combat some of the issues that I’ve had with putting here in the UK, because if I have a good putting week, I think I’ll be in contention on Sunday.”
Mickelson has contested all but one British Open since making his debut in 1994, and with a best result of third in the 2004 British Open won by countryman, Todd Hamilton at Royal Troon.
And he was quizzed by reporters if not having won a British Open was a cause for embarrassment or frustration for the visiting American.
“I wouldn’t say either as I look at it more now as a challenge,” he said.
“I played well in the 2004 Open where I was a shot out of the play-off, and it’s got me more determined to try to overcome this because I feel like it is exciting golf over here.
“I enjoy the challenge of links golf. It’s fun, and I have not performed to the level that I have played, in, say, week-in and week-out in the States, and I want to change that.
“I’m planning on doing that.”
Mickelson brought his wife, Amy two daughters and son to the UK, and once again for his only two events in Europe.
He was at Royal St. George’s on Monday and Tuesday for practice ahead of next week’s British after spending Sunday Centre Court at SW 19.
And the American southpaw was clearly impressed in watching the men’s single final.
“Seeing the men’s single final at Wimbledon was really my first exposure to that,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe the talent I was seeing, the skill, the power and how they played was really something to watch and was inspiring.”
It was not till Tuesday afternoon when the Mickelson’s arrived into the northern Scotland city.
After settling into their hotel, Mickelson was today (WED) driven past famed Culloden and onto nearby Castle Stuart.
It’s the first time in 16 years the Scottish Open has not been played along the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, and the first occasion the tournament has been played on a links course since 1996 when Ian Woosnam won the Scottish Open with a four-over total.
And Mickelson found it hard to contain his enthusiasm for the already much-acclaimed Gil Hanse designed course laid-out along the Moray Firth.
“I’ve enjoyed my time at Loch Lomond but I’ve very excited about being here at Castle Stuart,” he said.
“Playing the Scottish Open on a links course is a great way to prepare for next week but also to showcase this event.
“What Gil Hanse has designed here is an exceptional golf course. It’s one of the strongest fields we’ve ever had, and once people see this golf course, it’s only going to get stronger.
”Too many times golf designers are thinking longer and harder is the way to go. It’s not fun or enjoyable.
“This golf course is fun, enjoyable, challenging, thought-provoking, and just fun to play.”
In the long history of the game, there’s been only five players (Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods) to have won all four Majors.
