Phil Mickelson knows a comeback is possible at the U.S. OpenPhil Mickelson knows a comeback is possible at the U.S. Open
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – Neal Lancaster may be an unexpected source of inspiration for Phil Mickelson in his U.S. Open quest, but Mickelson referenced the winner of one PGA TOUR title for good reason. More than two decades ago, Lancaster showed that Shinnecock Hills can be conquered in the ideal scoring conditions that normally come with an early tee time. Lancaster started the final round of the 1995 U.S. Open in 46th place, 10 shots off the lead, after shooting 77. He still was an afterthought after starting Sunday’s round with a 1-over 36. But then he made six birdies over the final nine holes to shoot the first 29 in U.S. Open history. His 65 vaulted him into fourth place, four shots behind winner Corey Pavin. For good measure, Lancaster did it again the following year. Only three men have shot 29 over nine holes at the U.S. Open, and Lancaster remains the only man to do it twice. Mickelson starts Saturday’s third round, which falls on his 48th birthday, in a similar position. He is T35 and, like Lancaster, 10 shots behind leader Dustin Johnson. Mickelson has two rounds remaining to make his comeback, though. Lancaster only had one. Johnson, who holds a four-shot lead over Scott Piercy and Charley Hoffman, has control of this golf tournament. If he plays well Saturday, he will remove much of the field from contention. He can keep the hopes of pursuers like Mickelson alive if he struggles, though. Mickelson will tee off at 11:30 a.m. alongside Andrew “Beefâ€� Johnston in what promises to be a popular group for the New York galleries. Both players are 6 over par. Mickelson was there for Lancaster’s historic round. They were separated by nine shots at the start of the day but finished the tournament tied. Mickelson started that day in third place, one stroke behind co-leaders Tom Lehman and Greg Norman. Mickelson still had a chance to win until a double-bogey at the par-5 16th. It was Mickelson’s first shot at winning his national championship. He’s still seeking a U.S. Open victory to complete the career Grand Slam. He would be the oldest winner in U.S. Open history. “What happened in 1995, I will always remember,â€� said Mickelson, who finished fourth in that U.S. Open. “The conditions were calm in the morning. I remember Neal Lancaster shooting 29 for nine holes and getting right back in it. The conditions are supposed to be calm in the morning, kind of like we’re seeing. I think there’s a 4-, 5-, 6-under-par round there. If I can shoot that or anybody who just made the cut, I think there’s potential. You just never know in this tournament. If the wind picks up, it could move them into contention for Sunday.â€� Mickelson has only missed two fairways this week, and he hit 15 greens in Friday’s 69. He has struggled with his short game, though, and was seen on the short-game practice area Friday evening after finishing his round around 7 p.m. He bogeyed two of his first three holes Friday to fall to 9 over par and outside the cut line. He made three birdies and no bogeys over the final 15 holes. “I drove it great. I didn’t putt well, didn’t chip well,â€� Mickelson said. “I’m having trouble getting the ball close around the greens. I’m having trouble getting the ball to the hole. “I’m just leaving everything short. … I’m going to have to be a little more aggressive around the greens.â€� Fortunately, he has an unlikely source of inspiration as he tries to charge back into contention at Shinnecock Hills.
