Lee should take a leaf out of Lefty’s book

Lee Westwood should take inspiration from Phil Mickelson in his on-going quest to finally win a Major.

The American was crestfallen when he failed to win the US Open at Merion last month. He wanted that tournament above all others, and a lesser player might have crumbled afterwards.

Instead, Phil upped his effort, came over to Scotland and is now the reigning champion of both the Scottish Open and The Open itself.

Golfers lose virtually every time they play. But it’s about turning that disappointment into a positive, which is what Westwood must now do.

I’m still convinced that Lee will win a Major. He’s too good a player not to.

He hit a few bad shots in the final round last Sunday, but there is a very fine line between getting it right and wrong at Muirfield.

He made a big sacrifice to move over to Florida, but it is starting to pay dividends as his short game has improved immeasurably.

And whatever Ian Baker-Finch has told him about his putting certainly seems to be doing the trick.

All the work on his chipping and putting probably means that Lee has devoted slightly less time to his long game.

Once he gets back to the form that has made him the best player from tee to green in recent years, he’ll be absolutely fine.

I had the privilege of following Mickelson for all 18 holes last Sunday, and it was a rare treat. Nearly a week later, I can still vividly remember every one of his shots. His game was superb for 12 holes but it went to another level entirely over the final six.

It was the best golf I’ve witnessed at an Open since the ‘Duel in the Sun’ between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry in 1977.

But Phil also reminded me of Arnold Palmer at his swashbuckling best over the closing holes. He made his birdie at 13, looked at the leaderboard, sensed his opportunity and went on a charge as the crowds flocked to watch him.

When Phil birdied the par-five 17th, I knew he’d won it. That hole was playing so long, but Mickelson hit two glorious three woods to make the green.

I had to check my yardage book for his second shot. It was all of 303 yards into the wind to reach the putting surface!

I always doubted if Mickelson could win a Claret Jug. His risk-and-reward style seemed at odds with seaside golf.

Slowly but surely, he’s figured out that you need to be patient and wait for birdies.

He was also one up on the other leading players by coming over to play links golf at Castle Stuart. Winning there did wonders for his confidence.

Mickelson fits very well with the stellar list of previous Muirfield winners. But to be considered one of golf’s all-time greats, he knows he must win the US Open to complete the Grand Slam.

However, he’ll head to Pinehurst next June, a course where he was second to Payne Stewart in 1999, rejuvenated in that quest.