New and improved

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SINGAPORE -- Phil Mickelson says he's keen to compete at this week's Singapore Open to show off the fruits of his effort in home practice sessions to improve his game.

Mickelson has slipped out of the world top 10 after winning just one tournament this year, the Houston Open in April.

"I've been back home practicing and playing for about a month, and I've been itching to play because I feel I've been playing well and shooting some low scores," Mickelson said on Wednesday. "I'm excited because I feel like I have some really good golf ahead of me."

The American, who at No. 11 will be the highest-ranked player in the event, has yet to win in Singapore in four attempts.

Mickelson said he expects the No. 1 ranking to keep changing hands frequently. The three-time Masters champ has yet to be No. 1.

"We don't have the same separation that we had for almost a decade as we had when Tiger was dominating," he said. "I think it will be more fluid for the next while."

Mickelson declined to comment on Woods' former caddie Steve Williams using a racial slur to disparage Woods at a caddies award party in Shanghai last week. Williams has issued an apology for his remark.