Mickelson's mind firmly on Carnoustie

US Open runner-up Phil Mickelson will be able to give this week's Open his full attention after celebrating the birth of his first child.

The 29-year-old Ryder Cup player spent all week at Pinehurst on tenterhooks last month as wife Amy was expected to go into labour any day.

He carried an electronic beeper on him at all times and insisted he was prepared to leave the course at a moment's notice if Amy went into labour - even if he was leading by five shots at the time.

Fortunately for the tall left-hander the call never came and he was able to finish the championship, eventually being edged out by compatriot Payne Stewart by one stroke on the final hole.

Stewart's winning putt from 20 feet on Sunday night spared Mickelson an 18-hole play-off the following day and, with perfect timing, baby Amanda Brynn then arrived on Monday.

"The baby came on the Monday and if I'd been in a play-off it would have been very tight for me to get back in time for the birth," said Mickelson after completing his final practice round at windswept Carnoustie.

"It all happened so fast but it was awesome to be there. It's a special feeling, unlike any that I've ever had."

The birth of his daughter also had the added bonus of helping Mickelson put into perspective seeing the chance of a first major title slip away as Stewart saved par from 25 feet on the 16th, birdied the par-three 17th and then holed another long putt on the last to seal victory.

"Amanda's birth made it easier for me to handle it because I haven't really thought about it much," said Mickelson.

"I was very disappointed and expected to think about it all week but I've been so busy it's taken my mind off it."

Help arrived in the shape of willing parents and in-laws allowing Mickelson, who won his first PGA Tour event in 1991 while still an amateur, to get back to the day job and he tees off in tomorrow's first round at 2.45pm with US Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal and New Zealand's Greg Turner.