Lefty feels right for Hoylake

HOYLAKE, England, July 18 (Reuters) 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.

''I don't want to say you're ever completely knowledgeable because that's not the case,'' the world number two told a news conference at Hoylake's Royal Liverpool Golf Club today.

''But on Sunday I finished all the requirements that we kind of go through.'' 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.

''I feel it's important to go to the golf course and see the nuances, but you still have to execute,'' added Mickelson, who led last month's U.S. Open at Winged Foot by two shots with three holes to play.

''I felt my execution at the U.S. Open was horrific and execution is going to be critical here at Hoylake because the penalty is so great.'' A three-times major winner, Mickelson has failed to shine on British Open links courses with just two top-10 finishes in 13 appearances.

''I think the biggest turning point for me was in '04,'' he said of his third placing at Royal Troon.

''That was the first year that I felt I knew how to hit the ball low and control those shots. And I ended up missing the playoff by one shot.

''It took me a long time to trust the 50 to 100 yards of roll that we get and it took me a while to learn how to trust the little knock-down chip shots that travel a couple of hundred yards because of the hard fairways.

''But until you win a major championship, you're never 100 percent sure you're going to win it, even though you're confident that you will.'' The British Open starts on Thursday.

Reuters DH DB2054