Mickelson to prove Mountain king

Phil Mickelson should be backed at the generally available odds of 14-1 to follow up his weekend victory at Riviera by winning the Accenture Match Play Championship at Dove Mountain, starting Wednesday.

Lefty has yet to progress beyond the quarter-finals in earlier attempts at the WGC tournament, yet remains a tempting proposition arriving at the top of his form, boasting a kind draw, and having the ideal game for the Arizona course which was first used for this event only last year.

Mickelson fell at the second hurdle 12 months ago, beaten 3 and 1 by Justin Rose, but his prospects for a longer run this time look strong.

The American world No.2 showed a clear and cool head when completing his west coast set in the Northern Trust Open on Sunday and will be a match for all if continuing in a like vein on a course that favoured the longer hitters last year.

Mickelson enjoys a favourable draw, being seeded to meet his nemesis Tiger Woods in the final, with other leading contenders such as Ernie Els and Adam Scott also in the opposite half. He opens against his compatriot Pat Perez with the winner to play either Stuart Appleby or Tim Clark in the second round.

Woods is a predictable favourite at best odds of 3-1 but faces a tricky opener against the mighty hitter and recent FBR Open winner JB Holmes. And, although a two-time winner, he has also lost to some lesser names, twice being beaten by Nick O’Hern, and also falling to Chad Campbell, Jeff Maggert and Peter O’Malley.