Posted on 06/14/2021 5:27:56 PM PDT by Rummyfan
Phil Mickelson realizes he has a rare combination going for him this week at the U.S. Open. He has the confidence from winning the PGA Championship last month, coupled with the extra motivation to prepare for an elusive title in his hometown.
Mickelson, who turns 51 on Wednesday, said he spent the past week working on his game at Torrey Pines, a place he's had a bit of a love-hate relationship with over the years due to a redesign of the course that changed the way it played when he grew up in the area.
"It's a unique opportunity because I've never won a U.S. Open,'' Mickelson said Monday after a practice round at Torrey Pines. "It's in my backyard. I have a chance to prepare properly, and I wanted to put in the right work.
"So I've kind of shut off all the noise. I've shut off my phone. I've shut off a lot of the other stuff to where I can kind of focus in on this week and really give it my best chance to try to play my best. Now, you always need some luck, you always need things to kind of come together and click, but I know that I'm playing well, and I just wanted to give myself every opportunity to be in play at my best.''
The course was closed last week to the public in preparation for the U.S. Open, and Mickelson took advantage, especially by practicing on the greens.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
But after winning last month's PGA I am not counting him out. And it is his home course of a sort.
Philbert!
That was fun to see him win the PGA. I wonder how much Vegas will pay me if I bet on him missing the cut?
Anyone who watched him win the PGA could see the calm confidence, the bonus was his body performed too.
Probably some new Israeli cocktail.
Closed to the public? Torrey Pines isn’t a public course is it? If it is I would love to play it, in fact, I’ve always wanted to.
Anyway, I wish Phil a lot of luck.
I could be wrong, but I think he holds the record for the most 2nd place finishes without ever winning it. I believe Nicklaus has the most US Open most runner-ups at 7. Nicklaus has an ASTOUNDING 19 total major 2nd place finishes.
In any event, I bet few people would have bet that Mickelson would have won more majors in the last dozen years than Tiger. But, it happened. Phil-3, Tiger-1.
Give me Jack Nicholson’s second place finishes in the Majors.
It is public. By law, all seaside courses in California must be open for public play...albeit ridiculously expensive public play in most cases. Torrey Pines though isn’t too bad. It might even be a municipal course, IIRC.
His Oscar record is pretty good, too.
I know a guy who played it. He was used to Albuquerque city greens fees, and said it felt like a car payment.
It kinda is for non-residents. I grew up in SoCal and have played it dozens and dozens of times over the years. It’s only pricey for people who aren’t residents. If you’re an out-of-towner and you play during peak hours, it will set you back roughly $200. Residents pay $60(ish).
At the time, 18 on Albuquerque’s nicest course was 20 bucks
Yes, the bear was the best of all.
Laser focus is always fun to see no matter who has it. That is what champions possess.
Torrey Pines isn’t a public course is it?
Yes it is
wow. didn’t know phil was playing his home course for the open. he’s got a great chance. was able to play it quite a few times on twilight hours (for reduced fee of course), after work (years ago). my recollection. scenic, scary change level par 3’s, not so long that i couldn’t make a par now and then. lots of trouble when i missed the fairways.
go Phil! he has a great chance.
Go Lefty, we southpaws are rooting for you!
I am hoping he chokes. So sick of him & his drama.
The Torrey Pines courses, North and South, are public courses.
Yes Pebble Beach is public too. Of course there is about a two-year waiting list and I think it costs upwards of $500.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.