Phil Mickelson says he can go low and win

Phil Mickelson says he will need a low round in the 60s to win The Open instead of Lee Westwood.

Mickelson managed to defeat the Englishman for the Masters in 2010 but knows he has his work cut out to repeat that feat over the troublesome Muirfield links.

Lefty is two over par after a 74 on Saturday and still rates his chances high. He said: “I thought I’d be three shots back and -1 would be leading, but it’s five. I certainly think that’s still a good spot to be in. I just have to play a really good round.”

Mickelson worked hard with coach Butch Harmon, ahead of the third round, because he wasn’t striking the ball well, yet he also didn’t three putt once in his 74. However, his verdict was one of misadventure on the greens.

“I didn’t make as many as I hoped and didn’t get as many to go in but it’s fine. It was a good round. Anything around par yesterday was a good round. I only had three birdies because you need an element of luck when it’s like this. The pars are very manageable, but of course I will need birdies to win this thing. You’re going to have to make 20, 30 footers.

“I didn’t make any yesterday but I think it’s right there. I’ve got to be excited about being in with a chance of winning this Open.”

Mickelson tees off at 1.30pm with Francesco Molinari, who has shot rounds of 69, 74 and 72 for his two over par 215 tally and is similarly stealthily poised.