Phil Mickelson is inarguably one of the most decorated players on the PGA Tour, but the man they call Lefty has yet to accomplish one specific feat: win the U.S. Open. He’ll have an opportunity to finally hoist the championship trophy when the 2016 U.S. Open kicks off at Oakmont Country Club on Thursday.
Mickelson has come excruciatingly close to winning the tournament, finishing as a runner-up on six occasions (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2013). The 45-year-old has won five other major tournaments, including the Masters three times.
At Sportsbook, Mickelson has a +2800 shot of emerging triumphant. But is it worth putting any money down on a man who can’t seem to get over the hump at this event? I’m thinking it is.
The No. 19 ranked player in the world has been riding a hot streak as of late. Mickelson fired a 67 on the final day of the St. Jude Classic in a tie for second place with Brooks Koepka and Steve Stricker. He opened the year with three top-five performances before the Masters, and it’s quite clear Father Time hasn’t caught up to him yet.
The rigors of Oakmont are no joke, and Mickelson knows it. Lefty recently stated he thinks Oakmont “is the hardest golf course we’ve ever played.”
One of Mickelson’s playing partners, Brendan Steele, thinks the 45-year-old has a great chance of taking the title at the U.S. Open. Steele told the GOLF.com Podcast last Friday “I’ve played a lot with Phil over the past six years, and this year especially. When we’re playing at home, he looks really good. He’s been driving the ball straighter than I’ve ever see him do it before and he’s been putting better than I’ve ever seen, which is a great combination.”
Past demons aside, it sounds like Mickelson is ready to finally silence his critics in Pennsylvania.
“Oakmont is a course that will severely punish poorly hit shots and reward well-struck shots,” he told reporters after the St. Jude Classic concluded on Sunday. “So, to have a little bit of momentum, have a little bit of confidence heading into next week is big time.”
For our full list of U.S. Open odds, click here.
