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November 11, 2010

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Mickelson renews quest for top rank

PHIL Mickelson's quest for the world No. 1 ranking may have suffered a setback in China last week, but the American is forecasting an improved showing when he contests the Singapore Open starting today.

Mickelson finished tied for 41st at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, hurting his efforts to overtake England's Lee Westwood for the top ranking.

"I didn't play the best last week but I seem to play better in the second week of my two-week stretch and hope to put it together this week," Mickelson said.

The Masters champion acknowledged the he hasn't "played the way I would've liked to this year other than the win in Augusta" and will face another daunting field at the US$6 million Singapore Open.

Fellow 2010 major winners Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer will be among the 204-man field, as will defending champion Ian Poulter, Francesco Molinari - fresh off his win at the HSBC Champions- plus Asia's first major winner Yang Yong-eun, and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington.

Kaymer and Mickelson, ranked third and fourth respectively, are vying for the No. 1 spot held by Westwood. But Poulter also has designs on top spot despite his current ranking of No. 15.

The top ranking was out of reach in the years when Tiger Woods was at his peak, but now Poulter sees a window of opportunity.

"Everybody is now in the frame to push forward," Poulter said. "With that in mind, anybody in the top 10 in the world has a good six months, can find themselves moving up the world ranking higher enough to contend for that No. 1 spot. And that's something I'm aiming for."

The field for the jointly sanctioned European Tour and Asian Tour event will be spread over two courses this year in Singapore, with one round at the tighter Tanjong course and three at Serapong.

The number of players meant not all will be able to get in practice rounds.


 

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