'Lefty' ready to finally end US Open jinx
Phil Mickelson, who has tasted defeat with a record six seconds, is keen to snag elusive trophy
Reigning British Open champion Phil Mickelson hopes to complete a career golfing grand slam at the US Open, an event where he has settled for second a record six times.
Mickelson, who turns 44 on the day after the final round of the major showdown at Pinehurst, has endured agonising near misses and even dubbed himself an idiot after one epic stumble.
But the American left-hander figures he has more chances to win the only major that has eluded him even if he fails this time.
I played some of my best golf in this event and I should have an opportunity, and more than one opportunity, to close one out in the future
"Some people view it as though he's come close and he's never done it," said Mickelson. "I see it as though I've finished second six times, I played some of my best golf in this event and that I should have an opportunity, and more than one opportunity, to close one out in the future."
Mickelson captured Masters titles in 2004, 2006 and 2010 as well as the 2005 PGA Championship and last year's British Open at Muirfield.
He shared second at last year's US Open behind England's Justin Rose at Merion and was second for the first time at a US Open in 1999 at Pinehurst.
That was when the late Payne Stewart beat him- the day before Mickelson's daughter Amanda was born. "Lefty" had his caddie carry a beeper in case wife Amy went into labour while he was playing so he could depart.