GOLF:WITH HIS kids away looking for the Loch Ness Monster, Phil Mickelson turned his own thoughts to something that has proved just as elusive – a victory in Britain.

But the 41-year-old, who has managed only one top-10 finish in 17 appearances at the British Open, believes his chances have been hugely boosted this year.

Not by Tiger Woods pulling out through injury, but by the switch of the Scottish Open from Loch Lomond to the new links at Castle Stuart near Inverness.

“I think the move is going to be a huge plus,” said Mickelson. “I expect the winner of next week’s Open will be in the field this week.”

The field, however, does not include new US Open champion Rory McIlroy, so when told he had just ruled him out of contention for Sandwich, Mickelson had to think quickly of a way out.

“You have a remarkable way of putting words in our mouths,” he told the questioner. “I did not say that and, of course, I must have thought that he was in the field here.”

The three-time Masters champion was also asked if he was frustrated or embarrassed by his British Open record. “I wouldn’t say either. I look at it more as a challenge. I enjoy the challenge of links golf.”

Mickleson has been practising on something more akin to what he will face these two weeks – and he has already had two days at Sandwich, liking the set-up a lot better than in 2003 when he finished only just inside the top 60.

Graeme McDowell, meanwhile, has pointed out another potential problem for McIlroy when he returns to action at the British Open next week.

Two days ago Colin Montgomerie said he thought the 22-year-old will tee off at Sandwich “mentally tired” because everybody will be wanting to congratulate him on his US Open performance.

McIlroy decided not to play an event between the two majors, but fellow Northern Irishman McDowell, who did appear in the Scottish Open following his Pebble Beach victory last year, said: “It’s going to be very hard for Rory when he turns up to be concentrating on the Open Championship. He’ll still be living three or four weeks ago at Congressional.”

From his own experience, though, McDowell is not sure that playing at Castle Stuart this week would have helped. “I certainly wasn’t ready and if I had to do it all over again perhaps I wouldn’t play,” he admitted. “I think I remember talking about champagne swings this time last year. A lot has been made of Rory taking three weeks off, but there’s probably two sides to the argument.

“Being at home he’s had two weeks to get the celebrating out of the system and I know he’s had a pretty good time. I’m sure this week will be sort of getting the business head screwed back on again. I know he’s going to spend a couple of days at St George’s and I think he’ll be reasonably ready to go. It’s just a matter of how he deals with the mental stuff – the attention from everyone. That was the bit that was difficult for me.

“I found that very hard. It’s great, of course, but it’s overwhelming.”

South African Tim Clark became the latest player to withdraw from next week’s British Open at Sandwich.

Like Tiger Woods, who pulled out yesterday, Clark has not played since the Players Championship in mid-May – in his case because of tendinitis in an elbow.

Also missing from Royal St George’s will be France’s Thomas Levet, who fractured his shin jumping in a lake to celebrate his French Open victory on Sunday. He undergoes surgery tomorrow and is out for six weeks.

Former Ryder Cup player Anthony Kim, unable to play last year’s British Open at St Andrews following thumb surgery, was being offered Clark’s place after fellow Americans Jason Dufner and Robert Garrigus came in for Woods and Levet respectively.

First reserve now – it is based on this week’s world rankings – is England’s Simon Dyson.

CASTLE STUART

Course: Castle Stuart Golf Links, Inverness.

Length: 7,050 Par: 72 Field: 156

Prize-money: €3.3 million (€553,745 for the winner).

Layout: A feature of this classic links course are the short par fours, five of which are under 386 yards. The 306-yard third hole is driveable but has water waiting on the right. The fairways, though, are generous.

Defending champion: Edoardo Molinari beat Darren Clarke by three shots at Loch Lomond.

On TV: Sky Sports 1 from 10.30am

Weather forecast: Showers every day and windy.