Mickelson makes up for lost time, lost tournaments

By: Matt Weaver
Posted In: Sports

It’s been said that there “is more thrill in the hunt than there is in the kill.”

Phil Mickelson has spent his career unintentionally playing with this philosophy. Labeled as “the best player [in golf] to never win a major,” Mickelson has played in 47 tournaments, but has never come in first place. Even worse, he’s been in contention for the so win many times, but has always found a way to lose on the last day.

Despite not getting the big win, Mickelson has had some close calls along his way. He finished in third place at the Masters, back to back years in 2001 and 2002. He also placed second at the 1999 U.S. Open and the 2001 PGA Championship. But nothing was worse than what happened to him in June of 2002.

Flash back to the 2002 U.S. Open.

Going into the fourth and final round in third place, Mickelson had the entire world on his side as they watched him sink countless putts to keep him in a down-to-the-wire race with Tiger Woods. Although, at one point he only trailed by a stroke, it wouldn’t be enough. Mickelson would go on to bogey two of the three holes and lose to Woods by a mere three strokes.

After that, the world gave up on Mickelson. The media wouldn’t even mention his name as a potential winner in the Majors to come. He had his chance and he blew it.

Now it’s the first week in April. The 2004 Masters. Vegas listed Mickelson at 1000-1 odds to win. No one thought he can do it. But as he stood over a 20 foot putt, for birdie, for the win – something inside of him changed. He was focused, he was determined; he knew he was going to make this putt. As the ball burst off of Mickelson’s putter, the world looked on in anticipation.

Then something incredible happened: the ball went in- Lefty won the big one. The crowd erupted and Phil hugged everyone on the course except the camera guy. After his win, Mickelson said, “I knew if I could get myself a putt for birdie on the 18th [hole], I would be alright.”

So how could someone who has been hailed “the worst pressure player in all of sports,” who has never won a major and repeatedly choked worse than Bill Buckner finally win the big one under so much pressure and get the world back on his side?

Maybe it was just his turn to finally get the kill.