Mickelson Remaining Focused Heading into Shinnecock

Phil Mickelson will be playing in his 27^th US Open, the most by anyone in the field this week. He placed T4 at Shinnecock at the 1995 US Open and finished second in 2004, in one of the six times that he has fallen short at the US Open.

Mickelson said, “This is one of my favorite courses. It’s the best setup in my opinion that we have seen,” he says this because “all areas of your game are being tested.” Mickelson said he was excited and so pleased with the setup because “short game is going to be a huge factor. If you do miss a green touch will be a factor. I love how that has been brought into it rather than the hack out of the rough and hope it comes out okay factor.”

Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a tee shot during a…

Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a tee shot during a practice round prior to the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 13, 2018 in Southampton, New York. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

When asked about how he feels about having another chance to complete the career grand slam Mickelson responded, “I love the challenge. I love that I have another opportunity to try and complete the career grand slam. My goal is to not try to win it on Thursday but to stay in it on Thursday and Friday and have an opportunity on the weekend. I’m not really thinking about winning right now, I’m thinking about getting into it for the weekend.”

Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a shot during a practice…

Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a shot during a practice round prior to the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 13, 2018 in Southampton, New York. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Woods was also asked what it would mean if Mickelson completed the career grand slam this week. He responded,

“Of all the events you would think this one would be the one that he would have the least chance to win. Cus of the way that he has driven it the most of his career.”

However, Woods said that he has a chance and he has repeatedly put himself in this position.

“That short game of his is off the charts and a US Open is about wedging it. You can spray it a little bit here and there but you got to be able to get it up and down from 100 yards. He’s been one of the best of all time at doing that and so he’s made some of the most difficult pars that you have to make to win this championship, but he’s come so close. To complete the career grand slam would be an unbelievable task and an unbelievable accomplishment,” said Woods.

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