Sports News
Mickelson 38th in Open Tune-Up
Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland won the Scottish Open by two strokes Sunday after making three straight birdies on the back nine in a 3-under 68, and Phil Mickelson shot a 73 for a share of 38th.
McDowell trailed Simon Khan by two shots until the Englishman double bogeyed the 12th. McDowell then birdied the next three holes to move ahead, eventually winning with a total of 13-under 271 at Loch Lomond.
James Kingston (66) came second. Richard Green and Miguel-Angel Jimenez shot 69s to tie for third at 274. Khan had a 72 to finish fifth, another stroke back, but secured a spot for the British Open that starts Thursday at Royal Birkdale.
Ernie Els (69) tied for ninth.
Mickelson said he still had time to practice before the British Open.
"I had a great week this week even though I didn't play the way I wanted to," Mickelson said. "I had three good days at Birkdale before this tournament. So this gives me the opportunity to look at some of the strengths I had here as well as the weaknesses, and see if I can put it all together for this week.
"I'll spend most of my time on the short game. I turned that around a little today but overall for me the whole week, it wasn't what I was expecting. I wasn't pleased with the way I chipped or putted this week."
McDowell has now almost certainly clinched a debut appearance in the Ryder Cup in Valhalla in September, a goal of his for several years.
"I regard the Ryder Cup as a major," he said. "It's something I have really wanted to do. I refused to be measured up for my Ryder Cup clothing last week because it was too uncertain, being in 10th place on the list. It's not over till it's over, but maybe I'll agree to it now.
"The Irish have an affinity with the Ryder Cup, with the parts played by Christy O'Connor Jnr., Eamonn Darcy, Philip Walton and Paul McGinley. That's why it has a special place in my heart."
McDowell is now sixth on the list from which the top 10 qualify automatically.
McDowell, a graduate of the University of Alabama where he won several titles, holed putts of 10 and 12 feet for birdies on the 6th and 8th. He played a bump-and-run shot up close from off the 13th green to set up the first of his run of three birdies, drove the green and two-putted the 14th and then struck a 9-iron to 4 feet at the next.
"I've been playing well all year, but winning the Ballantines Championship in Korea in March really gave me confidence," he said. "And I've worked very hard with my coach, Clive Tucker, to have a swing I could trust under pressure."
Mickelson never got going Sunday. He missed the 2nd and 3rd greens after perfect drives and, despite some superb chips, he had two bogeys in his first five holes, including at the fifth for the successive day after acing it Friday.
"I was trying to build some momentum," Mickelson said. "With the putter, I'm trying to feel good on it, trying to get better speed and a better line. With chipping, I'm trying to be more aggressive," he said.
Els, who won here in 2000 and 2003, was not content with his final round.
"I think I could have done a lot better. I played well from tee to green today but the putts dried up," he said. "The stroke is not that bad. It's just the speed and the read every now and again."
GOLF
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