Mickelson still in touch despite shooting 73

U.S. Masters champion Phil Mickelson described his game as "slightly off" after carding a two-over-par 73 in the British Open first round on Thursday.

The left-handed American failed to cash in on near-perfect conditions at Royal Troon, mixing three bogeys with a solitary birdie at the par-five 16th.

"I didn't play particularly well today," he told reporters. "I didn't hit the ball the way I wanted to and I didn't putt that well.

"But I was able to keep the ball in the right spot and salvage two-over, which I wouldn't consider is a good round today."

The world number four, who ended a 14-year wait for a first major victory with a one-shot triumph at the Masters in April, produced nine consecutive pars in an outward nine of level-par 36.

"My game plan was not overly aggressive," he said. "The front nine is where you have to attack and I didn't start off the first couple holes hitting very solid shots.

"I was struggling for pars but you have to get to two or three under par on that front nine. Coming home is a lot more difficult, and I played it in two over."

Mickelson, whose best British Open finish in 11 attempts was a share of 11th at St Andrews in 2000, has prepared meticulously for this year's championship and believes he now has the variety of shots needed in links course golf.

"I felt like I hit a lot of good run-up shots today and put myself in good position for pars, but the shots I need to hit to get the ball close for birdie, I just didn't do," he said.

"But I will get it worked out on the range. It was just a slight miss today."

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