Career Grand Slam still in reach for Phil Mickelson
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PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 14: Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a shot from the third tee during the second round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 14, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Phil Mickelson's all-time shots at Pebble Beach
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Phil Mickelson’s dream of a career Grand Slam has survived its first hurdle but the veteran will need an incredible weekend if he is to triumph at the U.S. Open.
Mickelson is a former winner at the Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), the Open Championship (2013) and the PGA Championship (2005) but is a six-time runner up at his national championship. He now craves one thing above all others, a U.S. Open title to complete the slam.
He would become just the sixth player to win all four events at least once joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
Having shot an opening 1-over 72 on Thursday, Mickelson needed to play well just to ensure weekend play. He energized the California crowd with a charge into contention during Friday’s second round only to falter late.
The 48-year-old was 4-under on the day through 14 holes to get within four of the lead at the time before bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes left him to sign for a 2-under 69 and 1-under total. It leaves him eight shots back from Gary Woodland’s 36-hole lead after his fellow American birdied three of his last five holes to get to 9-under.
Any comeback therefore is a tough proposition, yet not impossible. Lou Graham came from 11 shots back at the halfway point to win at Medinah in 1975. Mickelson is no stranger to success on this course having won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am five times, including earlier this season.
“I've played this course for so many years, and I know how to shoot under par on it,” he said following his opening round.
Now he has to balance the sense of urgency in trying to win before his best golf is behind him with what will likely be tougher weekend conditions.
“Certainly that's going to be important. But the good news for me is I'm playing really well,” Mickelson adds.
“It's the best I've played in a long time, certainly since the start of the year. If I'm patient, I'll get better as the week goes on. The goal is just to get within striking distance for Sunday.”
