Phil Mickelson knows Oakmont provides grand slam chance
By Stephen Turner
Last Updated: 16/06/16 1:25pm
Phil Mickelson is hoping for "over the edge" conditions at Oakmont this week as he aims to complete a career grand slam.
Mickelson has been a US Open runner-up six times and will become just the sixth man to win all four majors if he comes out on top this week at the notoriously-difficult Pennsylvania course.
Concerns from competitors led tournament organisers to cut back the rough ahead of Thursday's start, but USGA executive director Mike Davis expects the "legendarily fast" greens to live up to their reputation.
And Mickelson believes Oakmont's challenges provide him with a real opportunity of joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in the record books.
The left-hander labelled Oakmont "the hardest course we've ever played" before adding: "I believe it also gives me the best chance because you have to really know how to play this style of golf.
"It's just not like a regular Tour event. It's not like going out and playing golf at any other golf course. This is a whole different style of golf, something that over the years I've become very effective at playing.
"Because of that, I would love to see it cross the line the way US Opens often do and become a little bit over the edge.
"That actually benefits me because we're going to have a winner at the end of the week. Whatever that score is, who cares if it's five under or 12 over, doesn't matter; the lowest score wins."
Mickelson, who at 46 would surpass Hale Irwin as the oldest US Open winner, makes no bones about the significance he attaches to the grand slam.
"I think about it all the time," he said. "This is the tournament I want to win the most to complete the four majors.
"I have to put that out of my head and try to execute and be patient and not think about results. You start thinking about results, you'll never play your best golf.
"But there's no question that starting this year and every year here forward until I ultimately win this tournament, it will be my biggest thought, my biggest focus, because I view those players that have won the four majors totally different than I view all the others."