The Open 2010: Phil Mickelson plays down Ian Poulter jibe

Phil Mickelson has dismissed Ian Poulter's comments that English golfers will now win the big titles as America's elite players begin to age, and that the Californian may lack the drive to collect another major now he is in his 40s. Told of Poulter's comments regarding his age Mickelson said: "Yeah, April went well," which was a reference to him winning the first major of the year, the Masters at Augusta, when he was 39. The American added that he had not seen Poulter's comments and did not want to respond to whether the American threat is fading. "I like Ian, I think he's a good guy," he said. "I love his clothes, I think that they're stylish and fun. I think they look great on him. I compliment him all the time. We get along well and we've had a lot of fun in the Ryder Cups playing against each other, and we have some good fun out on Tour. I just think Ian is a good guy, so I don't know what else to say." Mickelson was more expansive on his desire to take over from Tiger Woods as the world No1. "If I were to accomplish [it] in my career, and I have some chances here, it would be something – whether it was for one week or a month or a year, however long – just to be able to say you did it, especially in Tiger's era. It would be incredible. "So I know that my window of opportunity is small because Tiger is going to start playing some of his better golf here soon, so I've got to get my butt in gear. So I'm going to try hard to do that this week." Mickelson also feels that Woods has every chance of surpassing Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major wins. He said: "It's in his favour. I don't know what numbers that is, but it's certainly in his favour. He only has a few to go."