Mickelson throws away Scottish Open

Earlier this week Phil Mickelson was strongly fancied for the British Open but a poor finish to the Scottish Open yesterday handed victory to Gregory Havret and will have worried those who have lumped on Lefty for Carnoustie.

Mickelson bogeyed three of the last five holes to let Havret into a play-off and then took five at the 18th for the second time to leave the Frenchman with a 10ft putt for victory, which he duly drained to reward those who had backed him and a best-priced 90-1. Mickelson was matched at a low of 1.07 when seemingly in control and was still 1.15 on the 18th tee after a monster putt saw him reclaim the lead, but in the end his legions of backers were foiled.

“Greg played very solid golf and I played very erratic golf,” he said. “I made birdies and bogeys; the back nine was a fight.” Mickelson remains a springer in the Open market, however. As big as 25-1 last week, he is now a best-priced 14-1 generally and as short as 10-1 with Totesport.

Yesterday's final round also advertised the claims of Ernie Els and Luke Donald. Els played eight holes around the turn in six under to finish third, having traded at a low of 3.6, and is 16-1 from 18-1 for a second Claret Jug. Donald shot a 64 to share fourth with Louis Oosthuizen, Richard Sterne and Pelle Edberg and is 33-1 for the Open.

Stoke City target Salif Diao says his agent will hold talks with the club on Monday over a possible move to the Britannia, but warned that Premiership suitors are waiting in the wings. The 30-year-old midfielder's agent, Charles Collymore, will meet City boss Tony Pulis to discuss a deal following his successful loan spell last season. But competition to secure his signature will be stiff as a clutch of Premiership and Championship clubs are sniffing around the player.