Optimum Sports : Team Mickelson is Open Winner

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There remains an abiding image from the eighteenth green at Muirfield at the end of 142nd Open Championship as winner Phil Mickelson gathered his team around him for the official photos. A group that included his immediate family, his coach of many years, Butch Harmon, his manager Steve Loy, a golf coach from his days at Arizona State University many years ago. And not least his caddie and on course partner for almost twenty five years, Jim “Bones” Mackay. That image was all about stability in a sport that regularly sees caddies moving on, agents two a penny, all in the business of switching on and off deals, As well as many coaches - often left by the wayside when results fail to materialise for the under pressure players.

Thus it was refreshing for the sport when the Mickelson’s team was one that in total was an accumulation of hundreds of years by whatever way it was to be measured.

One imagines too that in the opening rounds Mickelson had some wise words for his playing partner Rory McIlroy, who currently seems to only have his family and coach as the main anchors from his pre-celebrity days. As he now faces the tough world of professional golf with a new set of clubs, an unclear management structure and reliant on Michael Bannon to rekindle that natural swing that at 7 years of age could already chip balls into a washing machine live on national TV without a bother. If there were ever a more timely two rounds of golf for McIlroy then surely Thursday and Friday was it when he played in the company of the eventual winner - who made a remarkable comeback having started Sunday five shots behind.

As well as what seems to be an endearing manner albeit sometimes makes Mickelson seem plastic and insincere to some observers. Whatever the view, one cannot argue the manner of the victory, the way of the celebrations and the sheer excitement it brought to the 2013 Open Championship. For which it will always be remembered.

More remarkable perhaps was the accepting manner of the biggest loser on the day, Lee Westwood, who saw his two shot lead disappear and then reach the finish in fifth place having started the tournament as outright leader when he teed off around lunch time. But such is the balance he has in his life that losing - yet again - to Mickelson in another major left him hurt - but not distraught. Emotional but not destroyed with his new life in Florida allowing him escape the post Open scrutiny that all British writers love to indulge in when losses of this type are visited open local sporting heroes.

Not easy in a month that has seen British triumphs to the fore, with Andy Murray conquering a 73 year curse at Wimbledon, the British and Irish Lions overturning a thirteen year losing streak in Australia, and the England cricket team now seeking a white wash not seen for a number of years against Australia. No surprise therefore that the fairy tale ending was utmost in the headline writers minds heading into Sunday afternoon. Hoping for that Westwood victory.

However, it was to be another fairy tale finish instead.

So for Lee Westwood it is back to the drawing board for another season, for McIlroy its back to the practice ground for the next two weeks in order to at least play well at the Firestone Invitational and for Phil Mickelson it is a planned assault on the US Open next year to add that elusive Grand Slam of titles and to join the other five legends of golf.

But as the Open Championship has proved elusive for home grown talent in recent years, so has the US Open not been a happy hunting ground for American golfers either. With Justin Rose the most recent champion at Meriden, Rory McIlroy winning at Congressional in 2011 and Graeme McDowell at Pebble Beach the previous year. Webb Simpson the only US winner since 2009.

The last English winner of the Claret Jug was Sir Nick Faldo in 1992 - also at Muirfield as it happens - with that international monopoly broken only by Scotland’s Paul Lawrie in 1999, and Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland in 2011. So it is no shame on Westwood for being unable to release that stranglehold last weekend. Especially when four birdies on the last six holes crafted the winning margin for the American.

For Westwood though the changes in caddies, coaches and residence have been a contrast to the perhaps monotonous consistency of Mickelson's back room team. Having lost long time caddie Billy Foster to injury, Westwood found a substitute in Mike Kerr, then dropped coach Mike Cowan for a new direction with Sean Foley, who also coaches Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Hunter Mahan. Indeed Foley has helped Woods win four times on the PGA Tour this season and Rose capture the U.S. Open in June.

Westwood also decided to relocate to Florida from his home town of Worksop in order to be better prepared for the PGA Tour season and that warmer weather that permeates almost every event of the year.

For a moment on Sunday morning it looked as if all those changes were about to deliver major magic. But such is golf that it was so close and yet now probably feels so far.

For McIlroy there is a touch of the same, with many changes and some unusual decisions reflecting perhaps more youthful exuberance. Or an impulsive nature. In contrast to the more steady and planned course of action of lefty perhaps. Both talents are now separated by three majors with time on the side of McIlroy to catch up with the Californian. And even surpass him in due course. However one would predict that thus far Lefty’s ways have proved more fruitful.

Whether it will be a lesson to McIlroy remains to be seen.

Whatever the reason for the drop in from McIlroy has little need of a management company at this time, other than a good travel agent, given his numerous endorsements and the lack of financial worries. Indeed, dropping some of the extracurricular activities in his 365 day year would be advisable and enable more days to work with Bannon. Or shoot the breeze with those closest to him in order to recapture the feel and swing for the game that was always so pure. Also a love for the sport that was so missing at Muirfield, so absent at Carton House for the Irish Open and a number of other events so far this season.

For Phil there is no"I" in his team. For Rory there is still a lot to learn.