Meticulous Mickelson makes most of majors

LOS ANGELES, Apr 15 (Reuters) Just over two years ago, Phil Mickelson was weighed down with the unwanted tag of being arguably the best player in history not to have won a major championship.

Following his consummate two-shot victory at the US Masters five days ago, he is now on track to accomplish what only Tiger Woods has managed to do in professional golf: hold all four majors at one time.

Having clinched the US PGA Championship at Baltusrol last August, Mickelson needs to claim the US Open title at Winged Foot in June and then the British Open crown at Hoylake in July to complete the set.

Although the American left-hander was quick to downplay any suggestion of grand slam talk as he basked in the afterglow of his second triumph at Augusta National, such speculation is certainly justified.

World number two Mickelson has undergone an extraordinary sea change over the last three years.

Once the Riverboat Gambler of global golf who richly entertained the fans with his swashbuckling but ultimately unsuccessful play at the majors, Mickelson is now the ice-cool assassin.

In the manner of a chess grand master, he patiently plans and prepares for the majors with an attention to detail possibly unrivalled in the modern game. A two-driver strategy was part of his winning recipe at Augusta.

Having completed his first 42 majors as a professional without success, the meticulous Mickelson has now triumphed three times in his last nine starts.

His long-awaited major breakthrough came at the 2004 Masters, where he holed an 18-foot birdie putt at the last to beat Ernie Els by a stroke.

'TEAM MICKELSON' A fair measure of this success can be attributed to ''Team Mickelson'', which comprises the golfer himself along with his short-game guru Dave Pelz and swing coach Rick Smith.

''I couldn't have done this by myself,'' three-times major winner Mickelson told reporters after sealing his 29th PGA Tour victory at Augusta.

''I have practised hard but I maybe didn't practise the right way or on the right things. To have the help from Dave Pelz and Rick Smith has really given me the guidance.

''Now when I do spend time practising, I'm spending it on the right things to help me prepare my best and play my best. With their commitment to me and my commitment to them, we are going to hopefully be able to compete and contend in future majors as well.'' MORE REUTERS PM ND0914