Marc Warren :: Phil’s attitude ‘incredible’

• Marc Warren reflects on two rounds with Phil
• “His attitude is incredible,” said the 34-year-old
• Both players make the weekend on three-under 

Marc Warren said he learned so much from playing alongside five-time major winner Phil Mickelson during the opening two days of the Scottish Open, as the pair both finished on three-under-par to scrape through into the weekend.

The Scot’s round included just one bogey, while Mickelson’s participation in the weekend looked to be in severe doubt until a string of three birdies from 14 to 16 lifted him above the cut line.

It was the first time the Warren, 34, had played with the three-time Masters winner and, after following up a level par opening round with a 67 on Friday, he reflected on two fantastic days with ‘one of the best players on the planet’.

“Bad shots just don’t bother him at all” – Marc Warren

“It was good fun and the back nine was a laugh,” said Marc Warren. “Phil had a great finish and it was nice to see something like that in full flow.

“His attitude is incredible. Bad shots just don’t bother him at all. You can see every shot he’s really grinding it out and giving it his all so there’s definitely something to learn there. Obviously he’s been one of the best players on the planet for 20 years or so, so it was just a pleasure to walk up the fairway with him.

“There’s not a lot in it off the tee, distance wise. His short game is phenomenal. Every pitch he had you could see his focus narrowing and driver he stands up and tees it high. When he gets a wedge in his hand, he looks determined to hole it and he expects to hole it. He hit some beautiful shots around the green today and everyone knows if you get into trouble, your short game can save you and he’s a perfect example of that.”

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Assessing his own game, Warren bemoaned a few missed putts but couldn’t fault his ball-striking, and despite being eight shots adrift of leader Daniel Brooks, believes he still has a chance of winning the tournament.

“I was pretty solid today,” said Marc Warren, who finished third last year and also in 2012. “It would’ve been nice to see a few more putts go in – it seemed every putt I had was left to right and I missing them low – so a wee bit frustrated but delighted with the way I hit the ball.

“I did a bit of work with Alan McCloskey this morning, basically I was moving too early at the start of the downswing and getting ahead of it, so that was my main focus today and my ball-striking was much better.

“If I play like that and get my putter warmed up, whether it be tomorrow or Sunday, I think there’s a low score in there. I’m definitely not out of it.”

Marc Warren :: Can he win?

Can Marc Warren still win at Gullane? Or is he too many shots back? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.