Tim Mickelson gets blown off course

Looking ahead to his second qualifying round at North Berwick today, the 32-year-old, who certainly bears a striking resemblance to the world No 2 but plays right-handed, said: "I was reliably informed that Phil shot 80 round there a few years back. If I can beat that then I'll be straight on the phone to him."

Mickelson, who will need to shoot in the mid-60s to give himself a chance of being among the 64 and ties who qualify for the match-play phase in East Lothian, is paying his first visit to Scotland as he works his way through a list of things he's always wanted to do.

That included playing four courses in America – Pine Valley, Cypress Point, Pebble Beach and Augusta National – and now the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Muirfield have also been crossed off the list.

Unfortunately for Mickelson, the head golf coach at the University of San Diego, yesterday was the first time during his trip to Scotland that he'd encountered a wind of any significance, though, in truth, it was little more than a stiff breeze.

Reflecting on a round consisting of halves of 41 and 40, he said: "It took me 15 holes to figure out how to play in the wind. I hit the ball high and nothing went right."

Mickelson, who has travelled over with three members of his San Diego team, is expecting to be back home on Friday and may journey up to Pebble Beach to see his brother try and add the US Open to his Masters win earlier in the year.

"It's only a one-hour flight up there from my home in San Diego and I might go and watch," he said. "It's a big week for Phil. He's hitting the ball well and has a good chance. I know you guys have Tiger Woods down as the favourite but I think his head is still screwed up."

After the combination of Australia losing 4-0 to Germany in the World Cup and Essendon Bombers, his Australian Rules football team, also suffering a weekend defeat, Kieran Pratt, a 22-year-old from Melbourne, probably wasn't in the best frame of mind when he started his opening round on a Muirfield course in pristine condition.

However, a best-of-the-day 68 at the Open Championship venue certainly put a smile back on his face and, as he reflected on an effort that contained five birdies, Pratt praised the help he's been getting from two Scots, Ryan Lumsden and Ramsay McMaster, at the Victoria Institute of Sport. "It's the best programme ever and the support I get from the likes of Ryan and Ramsay is every bit as important as the financial aspect," he said.

A 69 from Swede Henrik Norlander and Alex Ching, one of Mickelson's University of San Diego players, was the next best effort at Muirfield, where Paul Shields, twice a runner-up in the Scottish Boys', led the home challenge with a fine 70. The Kirkhill player, who bagged five birdies, was delighted with his day's work and reckoned Douglas Connon, the SGU chairman and a local member, had pulled off a masterstroke by arranging local caddies for members of the Scottish elite squad. "That was a big help," he observed.

At North Berwick, the other course being used for the 36-hole qualifying, Troon Welbeck's Michael Stewart was one of four players to sign for a 67, four-under-par. The 20-year-old former Scottish Boys' champion was out in 31, five-under, before repairing the damage of a double-bogey 6 at the 16th with two closing birdies.

Banchory's James Byrne, another of the leading home hopes this week, also made an encouraging start to his bid with a 68 at North Berwick.

Tom Brown, son of former Ryder Cup player and TV commentator Ken, had a 74 at North Berwick, one better than Gunner Wiebe, whose dad Mark won twice on the PGA Tour and is now on the Champions Tour.