Team GolfXYZ
Phil Mickelson, a freshly-minted 50-year-old, had a lot to celebrate. In his first round since turning 50 on June 16, he shot six-under 64 and was Tied-fifth.
It was a double celebration, as he also learnt that he had been granted exemption into the US Open for being in Top-70 of the world on March 15, when golf was put in a pause mode because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“That worked out great, to be able to know that I have a chance to go back to Winged Foot and give it another shot,” said Mickelson. He was second after dropping a double bogey on 72ndhole, when the US Open was held at Winged Foot in 2006.
“But I’ve had 30 U.S. Opens. I’ve had plenty of opportunities, and so if I don’t qualify, I want somebody else who deserves a spot, too, to play. As long as I’m playing well enough to compete to earn my way into the field, then I want to play and keep trying to win that tournament.”
It was a new exemption announced by the USGA.
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The 44-time TOUR winner, Mickelson was 61stin rankings on March 15, when golf was halted due to coronavirus pandemic. The exemptions were for the U.S. Open at Winged Foot were only for Top-60. Then a lot changed – the dates for US Open were shifted to September 17-20; sectional qualifiers were cancelled and finally exemptions were granted tot Top-70 instead of Top-60.
Winged Foot in 2006 was most heart-breaking loss for Mickelson who double bogeyed the 72nd and ended second. In all he has six runner-up finishes at the US Open, the only Major he has not won.
On Thursday playing with McIlroy, ‘Lefty’ Mickelson had a bogey-free 64. It was a brilliant performance a hit 16 of 18 greens.
“His longevity is incredible,” McIlroy said. “The big thing about Phil is his resilience. … It looks from the outside he’s never feared failure, and I think that’s what’s made him such a fan favourite is he goes for things and he takes on things.”
And what does the man himself say, “I love what I do. I love my job. I love trying to play and compete, and I really enjoy playing with guys like Rory and Bryson who are just tremendous talents and trying to compete with those guys,” Mickelson said. “I played really some good golf and smart golf, and I played really well today.”
If Mickelson wins this week he would be just the eighth player to claim a TOUR win after 50. The last came when a 51-year-old Davis Love III won the 2015 Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina. The oldest winner on TOUR is Sam Snead at 52 years, 10 months and 8 days in the same event in 1965.
If he wins a Major anytime, he would set a new record and become the first 50-plus golfer to do so. Julius Boros was 48 when he won the 1968 PGA Championship to set the record for oldest major winner.
A win at the US Open would also complete the career Grand Slam for him.
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