Mickelson gains fresh insight into Woods

NORTON, Massachusetts, Sep 1 (Reuters) Phil Mickelson says he has seen fellow American Tiger Woods in a new light since switching allegiance to swing coach Butch Harmon this year.

Harmon helped Woods become world number one and has shared a few insights with Mickelson since the pair officially began working together before the Byron Nelson Championship in April.

''In the past I haven't really played that well with Tiger,'' Mickelson told reporters after he and Woods carded seven-under-par 64s playing together at the Deutsche Bank Championship today.

''But he (Harmon) told me a couple things that he (Woods) likes to do and I kind of was watching for it and I chuckled throughout the round when I'd pick up on it.

''I think that working with Butch has really helped me understand how to get my best golf when I play in the same group as Tiger. I'm hoping I have a chance to do that on Monday (in the final round).'' Asked to give an example of what he had looked for in Woods's approach to the game, three-times major winner Mickelson replied: ''I'm not about to tell you, I'm not even going to go there.

''Just a couple things that have been very interesting, a few things to watch for.

MORE RELAXED ''And it's really helped because I find myself chuckling at it now and I played much more relaxed and had a good time today,'' added the left-hander, who rattled up five birdies and one eagle in the second round at the TPC Boston.

Mickelson joined forces with Harmon in a bid to improve his driving accuracy and the ploy reaped early reward when he clinched the prestigious Players Championship in May in his third start.

In his first two weeks under Harmon's guidance, he had twice tied for third place but his season then stalled after he hurt his wrist while practising for the US Open in thick rough at Oakmont.

He was forced to withdraw from the Memorial tournament in early June and missed the cut in his next three events.

Mickelson, a winner of 31 PGA Tour titles, had previously worked with swing coach Rick Smith for most of his career.

Harmon guided Woods to the number one spot for the first time in June 1997 and also helped Australian Greg Norman reach the pinnacle of the game.

Reuters BJR VP0233