Mickelson, who might have played his final U.S. Open last month when he missed the cut at Oakmont, has a record six runner-up finishes in that tournament.

Five-times major champion Phil Mickelson has declared the Oakmont Country Club, the venue for next week's U.S. Open, as the toughest golf course he has ever played.

Tod Leonard, a native San Diegan who attended San Diego State, covered golf and many other sports for The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Mickelson’s tee shot on the 167-yard hole came up short, diving into the upper part of a greenside pot bunker. He arrived at the ball to find a dreaded fried-egg lie.