Phil Mickelson would prefer to win rather than go through the play-off disappointment he suffered in 2007 at the Barclays Scottish Open, but if he were to do either he would go to St Andrews for the 150th anniversary Open as the World No 1.
That would be “cool”, but not something at the front of his mind while he juggles preparation with the desire to win at Loch Lomond.
“I’m just trying to get my game sharp and I always feel if I can play well enough, the results will happen,” he said.
“But it would be cool more because I’ve come so close to winning this tournament and it would mean a lot to finally break through. Being No 1 would just be the result of that.
Asked how he would rank being No 1 after more than 250 weeks at No 2, he replied, “You know, I have a good answer for you but let’s talk about that if I can do it by Sunday night.”
Mickelson has never won on this side of the Atlantic, but he believes that has been a question of technique he now feels he can answer.
“I didn’t figure it out early in my career. I was just putting too much spin on the ball to control the ball in the wind,” he said.
“Troon in 2004 (where he finished third) was the first time I keyed into that, and then I struggled with the greens, the stronger blade of grass in fescue which I haven’t adjusted to.”
Mickelson did plan to spend much of this week flitting back and forward from St Andrews but only got into Scotland on Wednesday and will go over tomorrow and add an extra practice round next week.
“After playing St Andrews so many times over the years that I feel it’s a very playable course you don’t have to strike it perfectly, you have enough room and opportunities and options on every hole,” he said.
“The three Opens I’ve played there Tiger won two and John Daly the third, which tells me length is a factor, and one of the things I’ve been working on is faster clubhead speed because the driver will be a key club.”
But he appreciates having hit 40 that the younger generation are on his tail.
“I like Ryo Ishikawa (whom he plays with today and tomorrow) and you forget he’s so young because he strikes the ball with such authority.
“Rory McIlroy is another I can’t get over how well he hits it.
“I look at Ryo, Rory and Rickie Fowler and they hit the ball so hard, they have so much clubhead speed that it’s a necessity now.
“They all play to such a high level, have a certain mental maturity to handle the travel and all the distractions.”