It was always going to be a forlorn pursuit. Given the criticism he has received since that well-documented palaver at the US Open, the golf writers didn’t hold out much hope of getting a word with Phil Mickelson in the build up to the Scottish Open.
The battalion of scribblers joined up just off the practice putting green in an impressive pincer movement as Phil ambled off it but having been asked for a quick blether, the 2013 champion responded with a handshake, a smile and said: “Think I’ll pass on that.” It was one of the more polite “sod offs” we’ve had.
Read more: Andy Murray: Skipping SW19 was great decision
Mickelson has declined to perform any official media duties in the big tent this week. That’s fair enough but as a past champion and one of the biggest names here this week, it’s still a bit of a poor show.
One champion who did speak, though, was the current Scottish Open title holder Rafa Cabrero Bello.
The 34-year-old Spaniard claimed a play-off triumph at Dundonald last year and went on to finish in a share of fourth in the Open the following week.
Having missed his last two cuts on the European circuit, Cabrera Bello is looking for a timely tonic. The venue may have changed this year but the Scottish Open still stirs the senses. The perils and pitfalls of the links keeps those senses sharp too.
Read more: Andy Murray: Skipping SW19 was great decision
“There are lots of pot bunkers here that look like baseball gloves and they catch every single ball,” he said of those menacing sand traps.
Mental fortitude and patience is one of the attributes required to master this type of golf and Cabrera Bello concedes that is one side of his game that he has worked hard on over the years.
“I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist,” he said. “I expect things to go my way but I have to understand that sometimes it’s not like that.
“I always fight to the end but I’ve learned to fight smarter, as opposed to getting angry and hitting two or three angry shots that may cost me.”
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