The one week of the year that brings me the most joy has arrived. Some of my fondest memories so far in my life are from this week, sharing memorable moments with my dad and grandfather playing the wonderful sport of golf and trekking several distinguished golf courses for a U.S. Open. A week where dreams come true in every single way on golf courses everywhere around the world is about to take place.
The 110th United States Open Championship begins this Thursday at Pebble Beach, where Lucas Glover will begin the pursuit of defending his memorable win last year at Bethpage Black. Glover beat out the resurging David Duval, 2002 U.S. Amateur Champion and newcomer Ricky Barnes, and Phil Mickelson, who has a long list of Open heartbreaks I will get to later. Phil has come oh so close way too many times in this Championship, and you have to think with all that's happened to Tiger, is there anyone who can stop Phil? Ya, there are a few actually.
Ernie Els is at the top of the Fed Ex Cup standings with 2 wins coming earlier this year, but his play of late has slipped. Jim Furyk also has 2 wins this year, 4 top 10's, and, like Els, has won a U.S. Open. Lee Westwood squandered a chance for the Masters with a poor final round, but finally came through with his first PGA Tour victory at the St. Jude Classic last week. All three of these guys have a shot, along with Tiger, to give Phil a run for his money this week. But in my mind, this tournament is Phil's to lose.
Too many times I have seen Phil Mickelson have a share of the lead at a U.S. Open late in the final round only to squander it. In 2004, I sat in the grandstands at the 18th green at Shinnecock Hills on Sunday waiting for Phil to come and take the trophy, only to see him 3-putt the par 3 17th. In 2006, I watched Phil pull a driver out of his bag on the 72nd hole and spray his drive off the merchandise tent which would lead to a double bogey and another squandered title. When I thought it could not get any worse, I walked through the rain last year at Bethpage Black to see Phil make bogeys on 15 and 17 to yet again give away the U.S. Open. Phil, I can't take any more of these.
If this is the year Phil Mickelson finally exercises his demons and takes home a U.S. Open, he is going to have to stick to doing things simple. But Phil is far from simple, hes been bombing drives farther than anybody I have ever seen and launching iron shots farther than I think they were designed to go. But at a U.S. Open, everybody knows the rough is think and the greens are slick. Phil has to slow things down, think fairways and greens, and pick his pins he wants to attack. You can not go for birdie on every hole at a U.S. Open, the course will eat you alive. But this course suits Phil well. He has won here 3 times at the Pro Am, finishing -14, -19, and -20 each time. Phil knows how to make birdies, but he has to avoid those bogeys, and others, to win.
Phil has been chasing Tiger to take over the top of the world golf rankings for several weeks, but so far he has failed to do so. Tiger and longtime swing coach Hank Haney have parted ways after several years. Tiger has not hired a new coach and has been using video to alter his swing. He better be watching a lot of video. Since he has returned, he has finished in the top 10 only once. He is spraying drives all over the place and has an inconsistent iron game. But 10 years ago, all of us witnessed the four most unbelievable rounds in United States Open History shot by Tiger, who is more than capable of just half of that, which in my mind is more than enough to take home the championship.
Should be one memorable week none the less.
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