Phil Mickelson suddenly has golf's number one world ranking in his sights after what he said was the best round of his career took him to a superb British Open victory yesterday at Muirfield in Scotland.
The American left-hander, who won his first Open championship by three shots with a round of 66 yesterday has moved ahead of Rory McIlroy into second place in the rankings behind Tiger Woods who is still comfortably ahead.
Mickelson has never topped the official world rankings which were brought in 24 years ago.
The 43-year-old's charge to his first British Open title was well received by his peers.
Justin Rose, who beat Mickelson to the U.S. Open title last month said he was really pleased for the American after all the courtesy and sportsmanship he showed him at the Ryder Cup and U.S. Open.
And his swing coach Butch Harmon said his final round performance in tough conditions was the best he had ever seen.
