Sports

Sad Mickelson: ‘I think I can … finish second again’

PINEHURST, N.C. — Phil Mickelson playing for second place?

Yes, it’s been that kind of week for him: Another run at runner-up.

After coming to Pinehurst No. 2 for the U.S. Open with such hopeful goals, with the completion of a rare career Grand Slam so close he could taste it, Mickelson’s goal with 18 holes left to play is this: Play well enough to finish second for a record seventh time in U.S. Open history.

Mickelson’s week has not gone as planned. He put himself in position with an opening-round 70 then, knowing he had to make a big move on leader Martin Kaymer, he stumbled to a 3-over-par 73 in Friday’s second round, after which he sounded uncharacteristically despondent. He stands at 5-over par and is in a tie for 30th place.

That left Mickelson 13 shots off Kaymer’s lead entering Saturday’s third round. Saturday in PGA Tour golf is known as “moving day,’’ but Mickelson made no move, shooting a 2-over-par 72 and is 13 shots out of the lead.

Asked what his feeling is about Sunday’s final round, Mickelson said, “Just try to go play a good, solid round. If I play well … if I hit it better and make some putts … I think I can shoot 4 or 5-under par, end around even [and] finish second again.’’

Mickelson was smiling when he said that, knowing the sadistic irony involved.

But, the way he has been putting this week — like an 18 handicapper — Mickelson might need to smile to keep from crying.

“My results aren’t very good, but my game doesn’t feel bad,’’ he said. “I’m not discouraged about my game. I just haven’t quite put it together yet. But I’m excited about the fact that this year my driving, it took a whole different turn. And the technology and the driver now for me is optimum. It’s easy for me to hit. I feel like I have control with it, just like I do my irons.

“I’ve always felt like when I drive the ball well I’m tough to beat, because my iron play is usually pretty good. [Saturday] it wasn’t, [but] I feel like long-term I’m on the right track and I’m excited about the next few years.’’
Mickelson hit 10-of-14 fairways Saturday, but just 8-of-18 greens in regulation. He did, however, have his fewest putts of the week — 28 — after taking 34 on Friday with four three putts and 31 on Thursday.

“I putted great … for me,’’ Mickelson said sarcastically.

Mickelson, constantly making changes to his game and equipment, began the week using a claw grip on his putter, but abandoned it on Friday, going back to the conventional grip.

“I’m always tinkering, making adjustments,’’ Mickelson said.

A victory at Pinehurst would have made Mickelson just the sixth player to win a career Grand Slam with a win on each of the four major championships. Now he will have to wait another year.