Phil Mickelson hires new coach to fix driving problems; Ochoa is No. 1 women's golfer

Phil Mickelson is splitting with long-time coach Rick Smith and bringing on Butch Harmon in hopes of improving his long game, driving in particular. Harmon worked with Tiger Woods for 10 years, and he was Greg Norman’s coach when the golfer was No. 1 in the world …

“Butch is one of the very best teachers in the world,” Mickelson said in a statement. “He’s helped two players rise to No. 1 in the game, and I’m fortunate that he has agreed to spend time working with me on my game, particularly my driving.”

Lorena Ochoa overtook Annika Sorenstam as the No. 1 women’s golfer in the world yesterday without having to hit a golf ball. Ochoa, who could have earned the top spot by winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship or Ginn Open, moved to No. 1 in the computerized ranking with 12.84 points; Sorenstam had 12.70 …

Tiger Woods started gearing up for the U.S. Open last weekend by playing 18 at Oakmont Country Club, which will host the event June 13-16. Oakmont last hosted the U.S. Open in 1994. Before this weekend, Woods had never played the course because he qualified for his first U.S. Open in 1995 …

At MyrtleBeachGolf.com, Tim McDonald writes about the Palmetto course at the Myrtlewood facility, one of the top “repeat play” courses on the Grand Strand.