Next week the USGA's 114th U.S. Open Golf Championship is being held at Pinehurst Resort on the #2 course. If you have paid attention to any golf media this year you know that Phil Mickelson has targeted this year's event as the one he feels he can win, the one he needs to win! Phil has six 2nd place finishes in the U.S. Open. YES...6 in the last 15 U.S. Opens since the infamous 1999 event at...where else...Pinehurst during the famous battle against Payne Stewart. In 23 appearances Phil has placed in the top 10 ten times. The question is...Is this Phil's last real chance at a U.S. Open victory and the career Grand Slam?
Well history is not in his favor. Phil will turn 44 on 16 June and there have has only been 19 Major championship winners over the age of 41. However, Phil did just win The Open Championship last year at age 43, so can he do it again? Is the pressure too great? Did he put too much pressure on himself? Time will tell. I for one am looking forward to the U.S. Open more than ever. The parity among players in the golf world has made every event more exciting. The USGA has made a solid effort over the last few years to ensure the course and conditions are fair and playable. Pinehurst #2 has undergone a total remodel back to its original stature thanks to Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore. The lack of rough and focus on shot making will undoubtedly create a more competitive event for this year's participants. Can a 44 year old superstar that has been struggling all season pull one last rabbit out of his golf bag? All I can is that if Phil does do it...I hope its on the 72nd hole, 20 foot putt for birdie, and it barely drops in! We will all know then that Payne was watching and helped in some way!
Well history is not in his favor. Phil will turn 44 on 16 June and there have has only been 19 Major championship winners over the age of 41. However, Phil did just win The Open Championship last year at age 43, so can he do it again? Is the pressure too great? Did he put too much pressure on himself? Time will tell. I for one am looking forward to the U.S. Open more than ever. The parity among players in the golf world has made every event more exciting. The USGA has made a solid effort over the last few years to ensure the course and conditions are fair and playable. Pinehurst #2 has undergone a total remodel back to its original stature thanks to Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore. The lack of rough and focus on shot making will undoubtedly create a more competitive event for this year's participants. Can a 44 year old superstar that has been struggling all season pull one last rabbit out of his golf bag? All I can is that if Phil does do it...I hope its on the 72nd hole, 20 foot putt for birdie, and it barely drops in! We will all know then that Payne was watching and helped in some way!