17 June,2010 07:27 AM IST | | AFP
When it comes to his many and varied near-misses at the US Open, Phil Mickelson prefers to look on the bright side.
Five runner-up finishes in 11 years may seem like an agonising array of almosts, but for the American who celebrated his 40th birthday yesterday they are proof that he has what it takes ufffd eventually ufffd to add a US Open trophy to his three Masters titles and one PGA Championship.
"I think when I started out as a young pro, not many people ufffd maybe even myself, included ufffd thought this would be a tournament I would play well at, but yet I've been able to," said Mickelson, who doesn't boast the steady accuracy that is considered the hallmark of a US Open contender.
"Because of that I still have a sense of pride in the way I've played, but, again, I would like to win my national open."
Mickelson's quest resumes today at Pebble Beach. Also in his sights is the world number one ranking, with Tiger Woods, an unknown quantity in a season marked so far by scandal, a sore neck and so-so golf. "I think everybody is motivated to try to become number one," Mickelson said.
