Phil Mickelson: A history of close calls at the U.S. Open
2009: A dramatic return to Bethpage Black
The story of Phil Mickelson’s 2009 U.S. Open has as much to do with what happened on the course as what happened away from it. Amy Mickelson had been diagnosed with breast cancer earlier that spring, and Phil made the decision to suspend his Tour schedule to be with her as she began her treatment.
After a poor showing at The PLAYERS Championship, Mickelson took a month away from competitive golf. However, upon word from doctors that Amy’s cancer was detected early, he announced that he would return in time for the U.S. Open.
Torrential rains halted play early on Thursday morning at Bethpage that year, and the tournament never caught up to the schedule. The second round stretched into Saturday afternoon, and soft conditions left scoring open for the later groups to come through. Mickelson, at -1, had comfortably made the cut, but found himself seven shots off the lead.
Seven years earlier, fans at Bethpage had cheered Mickelson on as he rallied to catch Tiger, but that effort never came particularly close. This year was different. Through nine holes, Lucas Glover and Ricky Barnes gave back nearly every advantage they once held, and Mickelson was on the charge, just three back.
Mickelson’s eagle on the par-5 13th had the crowd roaring, as Lefty tied for the lead. With Barnes essentially out of contention and Lucas Glover at three-over for the day, it seemed as though Mickelson would finally grasp what had eluded him for so long.
However, it was not to be. Whether it was from his month-long absence, or simply running out of steam over a five-day major, Mickelson made bogey on two of his final five holes, and recorded his fifth runner-up finish at the U.S. Open.