Sooo close…Heroic Mickelson misses out on US Open crown
Majors | 
Written by BigRed
After a memorable final round, Phil Mickelson missed out on his first US Open title by two strokes and finished in a tie for second with David Duval and Ricky Barnes behind surprise winner Lucas Glover.
It was Phil’s fifth runner-up finish in this tournament.
Starting the day five shots off the lead, Mickelson briefly dropped back with two bogeys on the front nine but holed a long putt for birdie on the 12th and then made a fantastic eagle on the Par-5 13th to grab a share of the lead. Unfortunately, his dreams for what would’ve been one of the most emotional victories in the history of the game ended after a three-putt bogey on the difficult Par-4 15th and another bogey on the Par-3 17th where he missed the green with his tee shot.
The Mickelson family will now emerge on a short tropical holiday before Amy Mickelson will start her cancer treatment on July 1. At this point in time it is not clear when Phil Mickelson will return to the PGA Tour. Prior to the US Open he said that he will “most likely” miss the year’s next Major, the British Open at Turnberry (July 16 - 19).
A more detailed report on the 109th US Open at Bethpage will follow as soon as possible. Please feel free to already share your reactions to the tournament and to Phil’s play through the comment function.
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Congrats on your finish in the U.S.Open. Proud of the way you played and finished. It took alot of courage on your part. Now go and enjoy your much deserved vacation with your family. Best of luck to you and your family in the months ahead. Your’e the best.
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:29 am
Congrats…..You provided us with a very exciting finish. It was so good to see how you handled the pressure. You are an inspiration to all of us. All the best in the weeks ahead.
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:34 am
as an avid golfer and a big phil fan i wanted to see phil win that open!! i think he gives so much to this game thru how he interacts with the crowds…his smile when there’s nothing to smile about….it would have been great to see him win. however….as a father of 4 girls i was more impressed with how phil embraces his family life. golf is a game and a living but his family is his life. as much as i admire his play i truely respect him as a father and husband!! thanks for being apart of the tour phil!! goodluck with with amy….god bless you and your family!!
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:24 am
Hey Phil, as always you make Fathers Day weekend memorable. Thx for the journey. Enjoy some time off but we’ll be waiting for you to get back out there! PS - If you do happen to take the British off you could bring your wife and kids up to Canada and come to my golf tourney that weekend! It’s a great vacation spot…
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:42 am
Hey Phil… as Dave there said, it would have been great to see you win this Open… as usual, you gave us a great show and an outstanding final day. I hope everything goes fine by you and your wife so you could be back into the PGA soon… No mater what.. I’ll always be a Phil fa. Lot of love from Venezuela.-
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 am
Hey Phil, as a Long Islander that was there all week, thanks for giving us a great run! You are always there in the end and never mail it in, that’s why we all love watching you. As a lymphoma survivor myself, I know how draining surgeries and treatment can be. My wife Tiffany has also been affected by cancer, she is BROCA 1 positive and took measures to prevent breast and ovarian cancer after watching her Mom pass at 42 from ovarian. Being in our mid-30s with small children, we know how scary this can be especially at this stage of life. Check out Tiff’s website at learnabouthboc.com. Good luck to all of you and if you need a place the next time you want to play the Black, I’m 5 min from the course, you are all always welcome.
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Hey Phil !
You’ve always been my favorite golfer. I like the way you handle the ups and downs, always smiling, when others are banging clubs. You’re a class act, and even stepped it up a notch at the Open with exceptional interactional with the fans. You have set the bar for professional golfers.
Like most everyone who has heard of you, I’m cheering for you and your family as Amy goes through her cancer treatment.
Good Bless….
June 24th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
You have not been my favorite. Going with the lead favorite Tiger and when he didn’t play or was out of it I went with the under dogs. Your courage of going to the Open changed my opinion. My late wife battled the disease for 11 years before she lost the fight. That was 15 years ago and hopefully the success rates are better. Far be it from me to preach or dictate. You your wife and your kids are facing a challenge that will test your mettle more than any other course you have been on. The children won’t have the necessary understanding to know what is going on. Choosing what to say or how to say it is a personal matter between you and Amy. There are no simple answers no easy platitudes that will make it all go away.
Trust in each other, Be patient when the fear dragon comes; be confident that your love and caring for each other will send him back into his cave.
I would do anything to be able to tell you that it will all come out the best in the end, Sadly, I don’t have the power to do so. There will be some trying times ahead of you. If you have the determination to conquer a golf course you clearly have the determination to conquer this one.
One last comment: I was often asked “How is Janice doing” rarely if ever was Asked “How is Bob doing” and I’m sure I would have said “just fine” which would have been a false statement. You will need the same level of support as Amy. Put your ego in your back pocket and sit on it. Ask for help because if you don’t it could cost you.
June 25th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Wow! What a performace by Phil “the thrill ” at the US Open! So very close to what have been a very hard earned victory to miss by a couple stokes ! The Beth Page enegetic crowd,enthusiastically voicing their approval and support for his efforts was magnetic and heartwarming. Phil is our curent National Hero, showing how an American sportsman can balance his family, professional carrer and personal life to thrill all sportsmen and golf patrons. Phil could become an American Icon, demonstrating how a man can love his sport and all that patronize it. His generosity to the fans, the game he loves and his foundational work provides an exemplary model of leadership for all to admire and follow. The team announcing the telecast were so impressed by Phil’s performance and the crowd support, he was deemed the tournament favorite, by far. Although he finished tied for second, he was admirably first in the hearts and minds of many that followed him throughout the 2009 U S Open Championship, an ultimate thrill indeed. MY BEST WISHES TO YOUR FAMILY,PHIL,WITH GOD’S SPEED FOR AMY’S FULL RECOVERY.
IT WOULD BE MY ABSOLUTE DELIGHT TO SHAKE YOUR HAND ON ONE FINE DAY!
PJC/PHILLIP J CONDO/CLIVE,IOWA 50325
June 29th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Phil:
Give Amy my best and hang in there.
Scott
July 5th, 2009 at 11:25 am
PHIL
Enjoyed watching the Open on my computer at work on Monday morning!!!! I was pulling for you to win but watching how you were connecting emotionly to the fans meant more to me than the win. My prayers our with you and your family during this time. I am a 6.5 year Prostate Cancer survivor-my cancer has settled in my bones for 6.5 years-and by GODS GRACE and HEALING I am still HERE. Next year at the TPC In Jacksonville, Florida-I would like to meet you-GOD BLESS-JERRY HOPKINS