Phil Mickelson says mastering Muirfield’s greens is key to Open tilt

Phil Mickelson says he has “putted phenomenal on greens that are faster than Augusta on spots” and is excited to only be four shots off the lead after 36 holes of his Open quest.

Lefty is out at 1:45pm with 1997 champion Justin Leonard and said: “I think we’re all excited to have these firm fast conditions, because we haven’t had it since Hoylake in 2006. And it’s really a different test than we’ve had in a long time.”

Rounds of 69 and 74 have left Mickelson handily placed among the 24 players separated by just five shots at the top of this Open tussle.

And he is planning on one of his trademark charges. “I think I can get off to a hot start, make some birdies and get two, three under in these conditions and move right up the leaderboard. Certainly a bunch of guys are going to fall by the wayside. I’m not intending to be one of them.”

Runner-up at St George’s two years ago, Mickelson is still getting used to the nuances of links golf.

“I’ve had to make adjustment in the bunkers, because it’s hard to control the ball,” he revealed. “There’s a lot of sand and it’s very powdery. I’ve made an adjustment by just catching if further behind the ball. I’ve seemed to do ok with it.”

And clearing up some of his criticism of the pin placements on the opening day, Mickelson said: “When I made those comments, I wasn’t being totally fair to the R&A, because they’ve done a lot of great things with this championship.

“The fairway width is a fair width to get the ball in play. The rough is difficult and challenging but it’s not over the top. It’s very fair in spots; the set-up has been great. For me to single out a few sketchy pin placements was not fair.

“But I think if you play well, you can make some ground and separate yourself. That’s what I’m planning. The great thing is that all the players who are in contention are on the course at the same time.”

And Mickelson, ever popular and ever accommodating signing autographs for the fans, added: “I’m certainly taking being four shots back – after my double on two and double on 16 especially. If you’d told me on Wednesday where I’d be on Saturday, for sure I’d take it.

“I’ve been fighting hard and I putted phenomenal on Friday. I made everything – some of those six, eight footers, 15 footers for par – to stay in the tournament. Some of the downhill putts are faster than Augusta.

“This is one of the most difficult tests we’ve had to deal with in a major, but it should be that way. I’m just excited to be in the pack. I’m playing great and I’m looking forward to the next two days.”