Golf:With his kids away looking for the Loch Ness Monster, Phil Mickelson turned his own thoughts to something that has proved just as elusive - a victory in Britain.

But the 41-year-old, who has managed only one top-10 finish in 17 appearances at the British Open, believes his chances have been hugely boosted this year.

Not by Tiger Woods pulling out through injury, but by the switch of the Barclays Scottish Open from Loch Lomond to the new links at Castle Stuart near Inverness.

"I think the move is going to be a huge plus," said Mickelson. "I expect the winner of next week's Open will be in the field this week."

The field, however, does not include new US Open champion Rory McIlroy, so when told that he had just ruled him out of contention for Sandwich Mickelson had to think quickly of a way out.

"You have a remarkable way of putting words in our mouth," he told the questioner. "I did not say that and, of course, I must have thought that he was in the field here."

The three-time Masters champion was also asked if he was frustrated or embarrassed by his Open record.

"I wouldn't say either. I look at it more as a challenge. I enjoy the challenge of links golf. I've not performed to the level I have week-in and week-out in the States and I want to change that. I'm planning on doing that!

"I always play high through the air and to be able to play along the ground, keep the ball under control, drive it well through cross-winds, I've kind of embraced those challenges these last couple of years.

"I feel if I can overcome this obstacle and compete and win in this style of golf I'll become a complete player.

"I think there's only six players (actually just five - Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Woods) that have won the career Grand Slam.

"I look at those players in a different light. I think that would be a great goal for me.

"I've not won either the US Open or the Open Championship. I've had many opportunities in the US Open and I believe that I'll ultimately win there, but the biggest challenge has been in the Open.

"There are two reasons. The wind is only about 10 or 20 per cent of the reason and I'm going to combat that by hitting more draws.

"The biggest reason is the greens. I've not putted well - the grass is a little bit more coarse, a little thicker and you need to putt with less break and be more aggressive."

He has been practising on something more akin to what he will face these two weeks - and he has already had two days at Sandwich, liking the set-up a lot better than in 2003 when he finished only just inside the top 60.