Phil Mickelson has won just about everything during his career as a professional golfer.
Everything except the U.S. Open.
The six-time major champion has finished as the runner-up in his country’s national championship six different times, but has never hoisted the trophy.
This year could be his last shot, as his five-year exemption for winning the 2021 PGA expires at the end of this season.
‘There’s a high likelihood that it will be, but I haven’t really thought about it too much,’ Mickelson said at his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday ahead of this week’s LIV Virginia event at the Robert Trent Jones Club in Manassas, Virginia.
Mickelson, 54, has missed the cut at the U.S. Open in his last three attempts to complete the career Grand Slam.
Before winning the 2021 PGA, Mickelson had been granted a special exemption, but then didn’t need it after his win. He could also participate in 36-hole Final Qualifying.
Asked if he would consider attempting to qualify, Mickelson said, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far.’
Mickelson said this week’s setup at RTJ should provide a good test to see if his game is ready for Oakmont next weekend.
‘What I have thought about is how similar this week’s course is set up to what we’ll see next week. We have greens that are rolling 14 to 15 on the Stimpmeter, just like we will next week. We have contours, undulations, just like we will next week,’ he said.
‘Short game, touch, chipping around the greens, rough, speed, lag drills and speed and touch on the greens, all of that’s critical here, same thing as next week. It couldn’t be a better spot to get ready.’