Phil upbeat after Brit beat

SPRINGFIELD, N.J. — Phil Mickelson is making himself at home in New Jersey once again, referencing his local ties, like favorite pizza place — Joe’s Pizzeria — and attempting to put an agonizing, three-stroke loss to Henrik Stenson at the British Open behind him.

“I think it’s one of those things where I’ll look back over time and my disappointment will probably increase, because I think it’s the first time in my career that I have played to that level of golf and not had it be enough to win a tournament,” Mickelson said. “That’s a disappointing thing because I would have loved to have added another Claret Jug.”

He is seeking a return to the winner’s circle at the PGA Championship this weekend. Having finished in second place at the British Open in Troon despite totaling a 267 a fortnight ago, Mickelson knows Baltusrol well and hopes to move on. He claimed the 2005 PGA Championship here after winning his first major at the Masters in 2004.

At 46, Mickelson noted that he feels no window is closing on his opportunities to collect more major titles. “I think there’s a really big window of opportunity to add to my resume, to continue to compete in big events,” he said. “The ability to play golf courses a certain way, to visualize, to make birdies, to pull shots off, that has not diminished.”

—Armstrong