Putting is problem for Mickelson

PHIL Mickelson, a two-time winner, has challenged himself to regain his putting touch when he returns to familiar territory for this week's delightfully-named Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Mickelson, who attended the nearby Arizona State University, has been frustrated after striking the ball well in his first three PGA Tour events this year without making the most of his opportunities on the greens. "It takes a lot of momentum out of you when you keep hitting it to eight, 10, 12 feet and you keep missing the putts," said the world No 3 ahead of today's opening round. "I'll get that turned around. I know that when I got it turned around last year things started falling in place."

Asked to assess his first three weeks on the 2010 PGA Tour – he finished 19th, joint 45th and tied for eighth – Mickelson added: "They weren't what I had hoped for. But they gave me a good idea of what I need to work on for the near term and the rest of the year. I'm starting to hit the ball very well."

Mickelson has been a regular competitor at the Phoenix Open since appearing for the first time as an amateur in 1989, and he won the event in 1996 and 2005.

Others competing at the TPC Scottsdale include newly-crowned WGC-Accenture Match Play champion Ian Poulter. "I've got a feeling I might be quite tired," said the world No 5.