Mickelson reveals major ambition

Phil Mickelson today upped the stakes ahead of an Open Championship showdown with Tiger Woods by declaring an intention to prevent his great rival achieving a record haul of major titles.

Woods is currently 10 short of the 18 professional majors won by Jack Nicklaus, and he will come to Royal Troon intent on narrowing that gap.

But Mickelson, seven shots off the lead going into the second round of the £2.2million Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, insisted: "I will certainly be doing my best to stop it."

The 34-year-old American believes he now has the game to add to his maiden major title won at the Augusta Masters three months ago. He said: "I know Ben Hogan didn't start winning his majors until the age of 34, so I don't feel pressed for time. And I do feel I am progressing as a player."

But Woods will tee it up in the 133rd Open next week determined to end a barren run of eight majors by proving his criticised swing can cope with a tough Scottish links.

"Everyone has a minilull, even Nicklaus," said Mickelson. "Tiger is going to get on his streaks again, he's too talented not to." Mickelson's best result in the Open is 11th place in 2000, when Woods made a mockery of St Andrews to win by eight strokes.