LUSS, Scotland (AP) -- Phil Mickelson knows why his form has dipped since his 2004 Masters triumph -- his putter has failed him.

Speaking on the eve of the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, the 35-year-old American acknowledged that he had fallen down in the majors this year.

"It has been a good year, but unfortunately where I really want to play well is the majors," No.4-ranked Mickelson said Wednesday. "I have not had as good a performance (in majors) as I did last year."

Last year, he won the Masters, was second in the U.S. Open, and was one stroke outside a playoff for the British Open -- he finished third.

Despite three victories in non-major events, this year he has finished 10th in the Masters and tied 33rd in the U.S. Open, and Mickelson blames his form on the greens.

"I felt I was hitting the ball well enough but I didn't putt as well as last year," he said. "I think the putts have started on line, but I haven't had the right speed to make them. So I'm spending more time on the greens getting a feel for the speed."

Ernie Els, Scottish Open champion in 2000 and 2003, has decided to play at Loch Lomond after flying home last week for the funeral of his grandfather.

The No. 3-ranked South African has admitted to fatigue, but he wants to get in match practice ahead of next week's British Open at St Andrews.

Also playing are No. 5 Retief Goosen, No. 7 Adam Scott and 1999 champion Colin Montgomerie.

The 40th-ranked Scotsman is buoyed by his second-placed finish in last week's European Open, where he was 67th after two rounds.

Montgomerie now aims to reach the top-25 by the end of 2005 and the top-10 next year.

"I used to say I'm here to win. Now I say I'd like to win. But I have to start winning," Montgomerie said.