Woods and Mickelson set for major tussle

MAMARONECK, New York, June 15 (Reuters) A titanic battle between Tiger Woods and Mickelson at Winged Foot Golf Club would make this week's U.S. Open one of the most memorable major championships in recent history.

For the first time since Woods began his dominant run in late 1999, the world number one appears to have a consistent challenger at the game's highest level.

Left-hander Mickelson hunts a third consecutive major title at Winged Foot and, in the minds of most of his peers, tops the pre-tournament billing.

For his part, Woods is embarking on the unknown. He returns to competitive golf after an absence of more than two months, having grieved for his father Earl who died on May 3 after a long battle with cancer.

A nine-week break is hardly an ideal build-up but Woods is renowned for his unwavering focus and his quest to build on a career tally of 10 majors underpins his approach to the game.

''I'm here to compete and play and try to win this hampionship,'' the 30-year-old American told a news conference this week.

''I know that Dad would still want me to go out there and grind it and give it my best, and that's what I always do.

That's what I will certainly try to do this week.'' Asked whether he was concerned about being a little rusty, Woods replied: ''The two times I've taken my longest breaks have been after my knee surgery in 2002 and this past winter, taking six weeks off or whatever it was.

''Both times I've come back and I've won. It's just one of those things where it's your preparation, your practice and your attention to detail when you are preparing.

''That's something that I've learned and I've done very well, I think, in the past. It's applied to this stretch. I've had plenty of time to get ready.'' RIVALRY Woods was reluctant, however, to make too much of a developing major rivalry with Mickelson.

''You have runs where Ernie (Els) was there for a little bit, then Vijay (Singh), Goose (Retief Goosen), and now Phil,'' he said.

''I suppose as long as I can be part of that conversation, it's never a bad thing.'' Mickelson is unquestionably the game's in-form player and likes his chances going into his 16th U.S. Open.

''I've come to the point where I enjoy the challenge of trying to be successful in these very difficult tests of golf,'' said the likeable Californian, who clinched the U.S. PGA Championship at Baltusrol last August before winning the U.S.

Masters in April.

''I know I can play well in this tournament, even though it doesn't necessarily fit my perception of how I've played with the thick rough and so on.

''I still have had some success here, and all I'm trying to do is be successful on this one golf course at this one event.'' Having endured a 12-year wait before making his major breakthrough at the 2004 U S Masters, Mickelson is now arguably the game's most prepared player at grand slam events.

He has made three separate trips this year to Winged Foot to refine his playing strategy on a layout characterised by slick and heavily contoured greens, thick rough and tight fairways.

''I feel I know the course as well as I can,'' said the world number two, who will celebrate his 36th birthday on Friday.

''But I still have a great challenge, and the challenge is executing, hitting the shots. That's the toughest part.'' Since the par-70 West Course staged the most recent of its four U S Opens in 1984, it has been lengthened by 334 yards. At 7,264 yards, it is the longest layout in the tournament's history.

As ever at a U.S. Open, the ability to grind out pars and to stay as patient as possible when the going gets tough will be defining traits in the make-up of this week's champion.

Both Mickelson and Woods fit the bill, as do twice winners Retief Goosen and Ernie Els of South Africa and American Jim Furyk, who triumphed in 2003 at Olympia Fields.

It is difficult, though, to look past the title credentials of major-meticulous Mickelson and major-hungry Woods, who launch their bids on Thursday in the opening round of the 106th U.S.

Open.

REUTERS PM VC0915