Wayward driver Mickelson aims for straight and narrow

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 17 (Reuters) For a man whose wayward driving cost him a landmark victory last week, Phil Mickelson was approaching the British Open at the fiendishly difficult Carnoustie with remarkable confidence today.

The American has never won a regular tour event outside the US but had every chance in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond until a skewed drive sunk his hopes at the first playoff hole against Frenchman Gregory Havret.

It was not world number two Mickelson's first departure off the fairway from the tee but he was convinced his driver would not lead him too often into the notoriously high rough of the seaside links of Carnoustie.

''I'm very pleased with my driver,'' he told a news conference.

''I didn't drive it the best on Sunday but I hit 13 fairways on Saturday and a good number of them on Thursday and Friday as well. I'm not overly concerned.'' Mickelson, 37, started working with coach Butch Harmon, who formerly handled Tiger Woods, earlier this year and the pair have talked over their game plan for the championship which starts on Thursday.

GOOD SESSION ''I had a good conversation last night with Butch and we talked about a couple of things we wanted to do with clubs off the tee and how to take certain places out of play,'' said Mickelson.

''Then we had a good session this morning on the range and we went out and played. It's still a work in-progress, it's not going to be where I want it after just three months but it's coming and I'll continue to get better.'' Mickelson's best finish in 14 starts at the British Open came three years ago in Troon when he finished a shot behind playoff winner Todd Hamilton to take third place.

''The biggest thing for me was off the tee,'' he said. ''I really struggled in the past but now I've been working on those low drives that have kept in play and not let the wind blow them way off line.

''That's going to be the key. If I don't hit the fairway I have to keep it close enough to where it doesn't get in too much trouble.'' Reuters SAM RN2110