Mickelson eyes Grand Slam in US Open

LA JOLLA (AFP) – Phil Mickelson celebrated his 51st birthday on Wednesday by making final preparations for the US Open as the six-time major winner chases more golf history starting Thursday at Torrey Pines.

Mickelson became the oldest major champion last month with a shocking victory at the PGA Championship. The left-hander will be the oldest in the field of 156 teeing off at the 7,652-yard, par-71 oceanside layout.

“It’s a unique opportunity because I’ve never won a US Open,” Mickelson said. “I have a chance to prepare properly and I wanted to put in the right work.

“I’ve shut off a lot of the other stuff to where I can kind of focus in on this week and really give it my best chance to try to play my best.”

Mickelson would complete a career Grand Slam by winning the US Open, joining a select group that includes Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen.

But he has a history of heartbreak in the event with a record six runnerup finishes, most recently at Merion in 2013.

Mickelson, who grew up only a few miles from Torrey Pines, remains a popular bet at 50-1 odds after his historic triumph at Kiawah Island.

“To come into this event as the most recent major winner is special,” Mickelson said.

World No. 30 Mickelson has won three US PGA events at Torrey Pines but none since a 2001 renovation.

That’s why he spent the past two weeks re-learning the details of a course he once knew like the back of his hand.

“I’ve played out here a bunch since the redo, but I really haven’t spent a lot of time to learn the nuances,” Mickelson said. “I put a lot of time in on the greens. I needed to kind of relearn and see the breaks and know what the ball does on these greens.”

Mickelson tees off on the 10th hole at 7:51 a.m. (1451 GMT) Thursday in a Southern California trio with Max Homa and fourth-ranked Xander Schauffele.