UNITED KINGDOM: GOLF - Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson prepare for the British Open

Former champion Ernie Els is fully recovered from the knee injury which caused him to miss last year's British Open and says he is looking forward to this year's championship. "I'm looking forward to it, we've got brilliant sunshine out there, it's pretty warm in the days and the course is playing really firm," the world number eight told reporters on Tuesday. "I feel like I'm swinging well and am just looking forward to the week." The 36-year-old Els was out of action for four months after sustaining the injury on a family sailing holiday in the Mediterranean. He won the Dunhill Championship in his native South Africa last December before suffering a form slump. Els, who won the British Open at Muirfield four years ago and also has two U.S. Open victories to his credit, said the key to success at sun-baked Hoylake would be accuracy off the tee. "I played 18 holes this morning and you've got to be careful, you can be aggressive on some holes and some holes you've just got to try and get the ball in play," he said. Masters champion Phil Mickelson, popularly known as 'Lefty', has made an art form of preparing for the majors and says he is ready to win his first British Open. The American left-hander made his first trip to Hoylake after his final-hole meltdown at last month's U.S. Open and returned to the north-west England layout late last week. "This is a fun golf course, what a wonderful golf course and a great championship. I feel like I've done all I can to get myself ready and I'm looking forward to Thursday's start," the world number two told the press. Over the last two years, the meticulous Mickelson has made a habit of plotting out his game plan for the majors in consultation with his caddie Jim Mackay, swing coach Rick Smith and short game coach Dave Peltz. "This golf course is very tricky, a lot of nuances to it, but I've tried to learn some of the important parts and some of the important shots I want to hit," added Mickelson, who led last month's U.S. Open at Winged Foot by two shots with three holes to play. "I feel comfortable on the course but you still have to execute and knowing the golf course is one thing but hitting the shots required is a whole different thing and right now that's what I'm working on, trying to get my game sharp." A three-times major winner, Mickelson has failed to shine on British Open links courses with just two top-10 finishes in 13 appearances. The British Open starts on Thursday.

ITN Source | July 18, 2006

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