US Open notes: Phil Mickelson has painful memories of Oakmont

The U.S. Open has been a pain to Phil Mickelson. A record six runner-up finishes stand between him and the completion of the career Grand Slam in majors.

Much of the agony is self-inflicted, but at Oakmont Country Club in 2007, the course jumped up and bit him. Too much practice in the thick rough led to a bone bruise in Mickelson’s left wrist, and he bitterly walked away after missing the cut by one shot.

Mickelson contended Wednesday at Oakmont, before the start of the U.S. Open on Thursday, that “dozens” of other players were injured that week. And because the rough isn’t any less brutal this time, the five-time major winner said he refused to practice out of it.

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“I’d rather wait to get hurt during the tournament rather than before it,” he said wryly.

It was humorous to hear Mickelson’s next assertion that he would “love to see it cross the line the way the U.S. Opens often do, and become a bit over the edge.

“I believe,” he said, “it gives me the best chance, because after 25 years you have to really know how to play this style of golf. It’s not like a regular tour event. … This is a whole different style of golf, something that over the years I’ve become very effective at playing.”

Mickelson is winless since the 2013 British Open, his victory coming in Scotland only a month after he held the U.S. Open lead in the final round at another Pennsylvania course, Merion, and lost to Justin Rose.

“To have my greatest high within a month of having the greatest low of my career is, I think, is my biggest accomplishment,” said Mickelson, who turns 46 Thursday.

Mickelson has had a whirlwind few days. He practiced Monday at Oakmont and flew to San Diego that night to attend his daughter Sophia’s eighth-grade graduation. He flew back Tuesday night, , and was at Oakmont on Wednesday afternoon, hitting balls on the range and planning to play late in the afternoon.

In his news conference, Mickelson got several questions about off-course issues. Twice in the past year, people with whom Mickelson associated have been indicted for illegal gambling and insider trading. Mickelson was not charged in either case.

“As I said in the past, I’ve got to be more careful in my associations going forward,” Mickelson said. “But I don’t really have much more to add. I think after a multiple-year investigation, which led to nothing, no charges or anything, I think that that kind of says enough for me.”

Mickelson was asked if he has been contacted by the PGA Tour regarding any possible violations of the organization’s “Conduct of Players” code as it relates to gambling. The player handbook says that “a golfer shall not associate with or have dealings with persons whose activities, including gambling, might reflect adversely upon the integrity of the game of golf.”

Mickelson seemed to be formulating an answer and then stopped himself.

“Actually, I’m not going to comment on that,” he said. “Good question, though, but I’m not going to go there.”

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Course strategy

Mickelson noted that Oakmont’s ninth hole is among the most difficult in all of major championship golf. The former par-five will play as a 477-yard, uphill par-four. Five bunkers line the right side of the fairway and a deep ditch looms on the left.

Even if the fairway is found, Mickelson said, “That green is extremely difficult to get a wedge close, and we’re coming in there with three- and four-irons.”

The par-four 17th hole is much talked about because, at 313 yards, it is possible to drive the green. But that green sits on a small perch and is guarded by the massive “Big Mouth” bunker.

“There is no place around that green that is any good, OK?” Mickelson said. “So I don’t care how far up the tee box is, I will lay up. Every hole out here plays over par. So to approach a hole from the tee thinking birdie is a mistake. There’s zero chance that I will go for that green.”

tod.leonard@sduniontribune.com

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