Mickelson eyeing repeat

World number two ready for title defence at Sawgrass

Last updated: 7th May 2008

Mickelson eyeing repeat

Mickelson: defending champion

I don't know exactly how the course will be set up but I would guess it would be similar to what we saw last year.

Phil Mickelson
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Phil Mickelson heads to Sawgrass for the Players Championship saying he intends to treat it like a major.

Mickelson triumphed by two strokes from Sergio Garcia 12 months ago and is looking to make history by defending his title, something no player has achieved in the event's 34-year history.

The field features 49 of the top 50 in the world rankings, the sole omission being world number one Tiger Woods due to a knee injury.

"It will be the same as other majors for me," said Mickelson.

"I don't know exactly how the course will be set up but I would guess it would be similar to what we saw last year."

The European challenge is led by Open champion Padraig Harrington, who has twice finished second at Sawgrass.

"You've got to put the four majors up there but this is the best field," said the Irishman.

History is also against Harrington with Sandy Lyle's victory in 1987 the only time a European has triumphed at Ponte Vedra Beach.