Harmon to work as swing coach with Mickelson

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Three-times major champion Phil Mickelson has switched allegiance to swing coach Butch Harmon in a bid to improve the accuracy of his long game, especially his driving.

Mickelson, who blew a golden opportunity to win last year's U.S. Open at Winged Foot with a wayward tee shot at the last, had previously worked with Rick Smith for most of his career.

Although the American left-hander will now spend most of his practice time with Harmon, he plans to retain his close personal and professional ties to Smith.

"Butch is one of the very best teachers in the world," Mickelson said in a statement released by his manager on Monday.

"He's helped two players rise to number one in the game and I'm fortunate that he has agreed to spend time working with me on my game, particularly on my driving.

"We've been friends for years and I'm eager to explore new avenues and implement new ideas with him."

Harmon, who helped Greg Norman and Tiger Woods reach the pinnacle of the game, gave Mickelson coaching advice at two PGA Tour events earlier this year when Smith was absent.

The pair worked together on the practice range at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in late February and also at last month's WGC-CA Championship.