Posted on 06/19/2006 9:49:13 AM PDT by gridlock
MAMARONECK, New York -- Phil Mickelson's bid for a third consecutive major ended with a shocking collapse when he bungled his way to a double bogey on the final hole to give the U.S. Open to Geoff Ogilvy. Mickelson tied for second after losing a two-shot lead on the final three holes.
Mickelson was on the verge of joining Tiger Woods as the only players over the last 50 years with three straight majors.
Mickelson said losing this one "hurts any more than any tournament because I had it won.''
But the old Phil took over. He was wild off the tee on 18 after hitting his driver off the roof of a hospitality tent. He muffed his second shot and then hit his third shot into a bunker. He got out but two-putted to finish tied for second.
Mickelson said "I can't believe that I did that. He he added: "I'm such an idiot.''
When his shot out of the bunker crossed the green and ended up in the high grass, they put the camera on Ogilvey, who was dead pan. But his wife, sitting at his side, made a huge face and started laughing. Sheila needs to learn a little golf demeanor, LOL.
As I said on another thread, he deserves a heckuva lot of credit for even being in contention considering his performance off the tee in rounds three and four. He went to the well one too many times however.
Agree.
Here's an interesting thought. Rick Smith and Dave Pelz are Phil's swing and short-game coach, respectively. Which one of them earned their money the most for Phil's performance over the weekend? I say Pelz. I'm very surprised that Smith couldn't work the hitch out of Mickelson's driver.
I hope no one has taken my comments wrong... I'm a Phil fan. I find it refreshing that guys like Phil and Tiger blame no one but themselves when they screw up.
Monty choked too. I like the U.S. Open because on any other course Phil simply needing to par the last three holes would have been easy.
I like it when the pros aren't even sure if they can par ( or bogey) 18 to win a tournament.
Pretty much any club in my bag...
A lot of people 'in the know' picked Ogilvy. Something about the way he kicked everybody's butt in the Accenture, including Tiger. He's a class act that doesn't whine, just steps up and hits it.
I like Phil but it looks like he still reverts to his old brain dead self under pressure.
I wish I could have been his caddy. I'd have broken his driver into 4 pieces....before he hit it!
4 metal or 2 iron was the only shot called for.
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