As it is, though, the man who is unquestionably the best left-handed golfer in the world - though Canadian Mike Weir might soon have something to say about that - knows he still has something to prove.

Now with 11 top 10 finishes in Majors, but no wins, 30-year-old Mickelson says: "For the next 10 years what I do, how I play and the things that I accomplish will ultimately decide how I’m looked at as a player generations from now.

"It’s very important to me because I want to be looked at in a certain light.

"If I’m able to win some Majors I can be viewed differently than as a player who has won a lot of events, but never won a Major.

"I don’t feel like it’s that far away. I feel like it’s soon and it would not surprise me to be in contention here.

"First of all, I’ve been winning a bunch (of tournaments). Five in the last year. That gives me a lot of confidence.

"Second, when I am not winning I’ve been in contention a lot more. I don’t feel so hit-or-miss. I’m really not worried right now about whether I am going to have a chance to win on the weekend.

"I honestly believe if I just play Thursday and Friday the way I’ve been playing and make some smart decisions, I’ll have a chance and that’s all I’m looking for.

"So the anxiety and uncertainty is removed."

As for the fact that all the focus is on Woods’ attempt to complete a clean sweep of the Majors Mickelson is far from angry.

"It’s awesome," he said. "I enjoy spending time with my family and being able to do things off the course.

"Tiger sacrifices a lot. The life that he leads is a very difficult one and I’ve seen a glimpse or two when I’ve played with him.

"I thank him every time that I see him for all that he has done for the game of golf and for his fellow tour pros.

"I don’t know if anybody else would be really capable of dealing with what he deals with day-in and day-out.

"It’s really a blessing in disguise for me that he’s been able to play as well as he has and maintain all of the attention."

It will only be the perfect blessing, though, if Mickelson triumphs either here or at some other majors down the line.

He has certainly had his chances. In the Masters alone he has finished seventh in 1995, third behind Nick Faldo and Greg Norman in 1996 and sixth and seventh the last two seasons.

Mickelson’s biggest near-miss, though, was the US Open two years ago.

Payne Stewart sank a 18-foot par putt on the final green there to deny him a play-off a play-off he might not have played in because his wife Amy was expecting their first child at any moment.