Mickelson expected to play at Oakmont

World number two Phil Mickelson is expected to head a strong field at this week's St Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee where he will continue to monitor his recovery from a wrist injury.

The American left-hander withdrew from last week's Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio after 11 holes in the opening round and is determined to be fully fit for next week's US Open at Oakmont.

Although he described his chances of playing in Memphis as 'probably 50-50' after tests revealed his left wrist was inflamed, Mickelson is eager to use this week as a final tune-up for the second major of the year.

'The timing isn't the best because I really wanted to play at Memphis' Mickelson said.

'But the good news is there is no break or fracture. I have inflammation that can be relieved and I'm looking forward to playing the Open at 100 percent physically.'

Mickelson, who prefers to play competitively for at least the week before majors, has had therapy on his left wrist for the last three days and has been assured by his specialist he will be able to compete pain-free at Oakmont.

Should he tee off in Thursday's opening round at the TPC Southwind, he will be one of seven players in the world's top 12 competing in the PGA Tour event.

Fourth-ranked Adam Scott, Vijay Singh (sixth), U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy (eighth), Ireland's Padraig Harrington (10th), Retief Goosen (11th) and Sergio Garcia (12th) are also playing this week.

Another player worth monitoring is twice champion David Toms, who has finished no worse than tied for 10th in his last five appearances in Memphis.

Winner in 2003 and 2004, he came close to completing a hat-trick of titles in 2005 before losing out to fellow American Justin Leonard by a shot.

'What I do feel is that I have support here,' Toms told reporters as he prepared for the tournament.

'When I am playing well and get in contention here, people are behind me. I get excited to play here and I think all that factors in to having successes.'

Toms, whose most recent PGA Tour victory came at the 2006 Sony Open in Hawaii, has not been at his best this season, despite making 13 cuts out of 13.

The 40-year-old from Louisiana has finished no higher than tied for eighth, doing so at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship and at the Phoenix Open four weeks later.

'I haven't contended like I'd like to but, overall, I've been very consistent with some decent checks along the way,' he said. 'I'd like to have a really good shot at winning a golf tournament sometime soon.'