Mickelson: "Tired of the US Open"... What about this year?

Organizing Committee Special Invitation Rejected "I Will Compete Independently", "Ready to Settle Scores After 6 Runner-Up Finishes"

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "No invitation needed."

The greatest goal in the golf career of 50-year-old veteran Phil Mickelson (USA, photo) is to achieve the 'Career Grand Slam' by winning all four major championships. In the history of global golf, only five players have accomplished this: Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan (both USA), Gary Player (South Africa), Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods (both USA). Mickelson has US Open, Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) the Masters, and Jordan Spieth (USA) the PGA Championship left as the final puzzle pieces.

Mickelson barely collected three championship trophies over nine years: the Masters in 2004, the PGA Championship in 2005, and The Open in 2013. The problem is the US Open. He has finished as runner-up six times?in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2013?causing much frustration. The 2006 US Open was the most heartbreaking. Leading by one stroke going into the final day, he lost the championship with a double bogey on the last 18th hole (par 4).

In 2014, he tied for 28th place; in 2015, tied for 64th; and in 2016, he missed the cut, showing a trend of drifting further from the winning circle. In 2017, he skipped the tournament entirely due to a scheduling conflict with his eldest daughter Amanda’s high school graduation. The 2018 US Open was held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, where he had been runner-up in 2004, but he finished tied for 48th. On the third day, he stirred controversy by deliberately hitting a moving ball on the 13th hole (par 4).

Last year, at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California?where he has won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am five times?he finished tied for 52nd, showing little strength. This year, he has yet to secure a spot in the tournament. Breaking into the world’s top 50 rankings is urgent. It is interesting that Mickelson declined the US Open organizing committee’s 'special invitation,' saying, "I will get in on my own merit." Fortunately, after finishing third at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am that ended on the 10th, he jumped from 72nd to 56th in the rankings.

The Genesis Invitational, starting on the 13th, has become even more important. Mickelson has removed the World Golf Championships (WGC) Mexico Championship on the 21st from his schedule. This is surprising given that the WGC series is a premium event with a total prize fund of $10.5 million and a winner’s prize of $1.8 million. The Mexico Championship is especially a 'winning ground' for Mickelson, where he triumphed in 2018 after a playoff against Justin Thomas (USA). He said with ease, "I decided to go on a trip with my family."