Can you covet something too much? Phil Mickelson needs a U.S. Open victory to earn a career grand slam of all four major titles -- but with a record six second places his national championship has become his nemesis.
Unscalable peak —
Can you covet something too much? Phil Mickelson needs a U.S. Open victory to earn a career grand slam of all four major titles -- but with a record six second places his national championship has become his nemesis.
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Mickelson's first real taste of U.S. Open disappointment came at the 1999 tournament at Pinehurst, North Carolina. With wife Amy expected to go into labour at any minute for the birth of their first child -- and on Father's Day to boot - the 29-year-old Mickelson led by one with three holes left. But he was overhauled by the colourful Payne Stewart, who died four months later in a plane crash.
Growing Payne —
Mickelson's first real taste of U.S. Open disappointment came at the 1999 tournament at Pinehurst, North Carolina. With wife Amy expected to go into labour at any minute for the birth of their first child -- and on Father's Day to boot - the 29-year-old Mickelson led by one with three holes left. But he was overhauled by the colourful Payne Stewart, who died four months later in a plane crash.
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In 2002, the left-hander put up a decent fight in front of a boisterous New York crowd, but with a four-shot deficit going into the final round Mickelson couldn't quite catch Tiger Woods, who won his eighth major by three shots at Bethpage Black on Long Island.
Tiger hunting —
In 2002, the left-hander put up a decent fight in front of a boisterous New York crowd, but with a four-shot deficit going into the final round Mickelson couldn't quite catch Tiger Woods, who won his eighth major by three shots at Bethpage Black on Long Island.
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Back on Long Island two years later, and with a first major finally under his belt at that year's Masters, Mickelson tied with Shigeki Maruyama for the halfway lead at Shinnecock Hills. But as conditions became fast and fiery over the weekend, South African Retief Goosen edged in front to pip Mickelson by two.
No Retief —
Back on Long Island two years later, and with a first major finally under his belt at that year's Masters, Mickelson tied with Shigeki Maruyama for the halfway lead at Shinnecock Hills. But as conditions became fast and fiery over the weekend, South African Retief Goosen edged in front to pip Mickelson by two.
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Mickelson went into the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York, aiming for a third straight major title after victory in April's Masters as well as the U.S. PGA the previous summer. Roared on by an adoring crowd, "Phil the Thrill" grabbed a share of the lead after the third round and looked set for an overdue coronation.
On a wing and a prayer —
Mickelson went into the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York, aiming for a third straight major title after victory in April's Masters as well as the U.S. PGA the previous summer. Roared on by an adoring crowd, "Phil the Thrill" grabbed a share of the lead after the third round and looked set for an overdue coronation.
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But the mercurial Mickelson contrived to blow a one-shot lead standing on the final tee after an errant tee shot into a hospitality tent set up a chain of events that led to a double bogey and defeat by one stroke, to Australian Geoff Ogilvy.
On a wing and a prayer —
But the mercurial Mickelson contrived to blow a one-shot lead standing on the final tee after an errant tee shot into a hospitality tent set up a chain of events that led to a double bogey and defeat by one stroke, to Australian Geoff Ogilvy.
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It was Mickelson's fourth U.S. Open runner spot, and the wobble at Winged Foot will go down as arguably Lefty's most devastating defeat. "It was really bittersweet with Phil on the last green because he was at a pretty low point," Ogilvy told CNN's Living Golf.
On a wing and a prayer —
It was Mickelson's fourth U.S. Open runner spot, and the wobble at Winged Foot will go down as arguably Lefty's most devastating defeat. "It was really bittersweet with Phil on the last green because he was at a pretty low point," Ogilvy told CNN's Living Golf.
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The New Yorkers' love affair with the California kid carried on back at Bethpage Black in 2009 -- and the narrative had added poignancy after Mickelson's wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before the tournament.
Back in Black —
The New Yorkers' love affair with the California kid carried on back at Bethpage Black in 2009 -- and the narrative had added poignancy after Mickelson's wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before the tournament.
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Mickelson made a solid if unspectacular start, but clawed his way into a share of the lead in Monday's final round, held over because of bad weather over the weekend. But the putts just wouldn't drop and he finished in a tie for second, two behind Lucas Glover. His fifth second place set a new record for U.S. Open runner-up spots.
Back in Black —
Mickelson made a solid if unspectacular start, but clawed his way into a share of the lead in Monday's final round, held over because of bad weather over the weekend. But the putts just wouldn't drop and he finished in a tie for second, two behind Lucas Glover. His fifth second place set a new record for U.S. Open runner-up spots.
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The left-hander held at least a share of the lead after each of the first three rounds and all the signs were that the 2013 U.S. Open at quirky Merion, PA, would be his time.
Every Rose has its thorns —
The left-hander held at least a share of the lead after each of the first three rounds and all the signs were that the 2013 U.S. Open at quirky Merion, PA, would be his time.
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Mickelson's final round got off to an ignominious start, with double bogeys at the third and fifth holes. An eagle at the 10th hole snatched back the lead, but a bogey on 13 gave Justin Rose the advantage. Try as he might, Mickelson just couldn't catch the composed Englishman, who went on to clinch his first major title by two from Mickelson and Jason Day.
Every Rose has its thorns —
Mickelson's final round got off to an ignominious start, with double bogeys at the third and fifth holes. An eagle at the 10th hole snatched back the lead, but a bogey on 13 gave Justin Rose the advantage. Try as he might, Mickelson just couldn't catch the composed Englishman, who went on to clinch his first major title by two from Mickelson and Jason Day.
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His run of runner-up spots stretched to six, and while Rose reaped the rewards, Mickelson lamented his inability to finally clinch a coveted U.S. Open. "It was a tournament I feel I should have won, that I was playing well enough to win," he said.
Every Rose has its thorns —
His run of runner-up spots stretched to six, and while Rose reaped the rewards, Mickelson lamented his inability to finally clinch a coveted U.S. Open. "It was a tournament I feel I should have won, that I was playing well enough to win," he said.
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Mickelson turns 46 on the opening day of the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont, Pennsylvania, but insists he is loving the challenge of trying to win one. "I'm having fun with it. It's not a burden. It's an exciting opportunity," he says.
Seventh heaven? —
Mickelson turns 46 on the opening day of the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont, Pennsylvania, but insists he is loving the challenge of trying to win one. "I'm having fun with it. It's not a burden. It's an exciting opportunity," he says.
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