The US Open is famously the major championship that still stands between Phil Mickelson and a career grand slam.
Mickelson has finished runner-up six times in the year’s most challenging major, and his infamous double bogey on the 72nd hole at Winged Foot in 2006 will haunt him right up until he calls time on his playing career.
Standing on the 18th tee, knowing a par would seal the victory, the legendary lefty opted to hit the driver. Mickelson found trouble off the tee and ended up making a double bogey. In turn, he handed Geoff Ogilvy the title.
The now 54-year-old also came close in the 2013 edition at Merion, finishing two shots behind Justin Rose. What’s more, during the 2018 US Open, Mickelson was involved in a bizarre incident after he decided to hit a putt while his ball was still moving.
What Phil Mickelson said about Torrey Pines in 2021
Mickelson’s dream would probably be to win the US Open at Torrey Pines. Born in San Diego, the six-time major winner has a soft spot for the course.
And, after the 2021 US Open, Mickelson claimed Torrey Pines’ set-up was the best he’d seen in 30 years of playing the event.
“I’m very surprised that, in the 30 years that I’ve played the US Open, this is the best I’ve seen. I thought they did a remarkable job, and I’m really proud and happy that it’s here at Torrey Pines.”
“I thought they did a remarkable job, and I’m really proud and happy that it’s here at Torrey. “The set-up is the best I’ve ever seen, and what they did really well is they made some of the hard holes harder, like 11 and 12, and they made some of the easy holes, like two, easier so you can make birdies.
“That type of set-up allows the players who are playing well to make up ground or separate themselves from the field. They just did such a great job here. I’m very impressed.”
Mickelson wanted to participate in the course redesign in 2016, but Tom Weiskopf was awarded the project instead.
How did Phil Mickelson play at 2021 US Open
After making the cut, it was a weekend to forget for Mickelson at Torrey Pines four years ago. Mickelson was playing catch-up after posting 75 in the first round and managed to make the cut after posting a round in the 60s on Friday.
However, on Saturday, the lefty shot 76, which included a damaging double-bogey on the par-four 17th. Then, during the final round, Mickelson made four bogeys on the back-nine to finish 11 over for the tournament.
Jon Rahm would win his first major title in 2021, finishing at six under and one shot clear of South African Louis Oosthuizen. Harris English, who won the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open, placed third and five-time major winner Brooks Koepka in a tie for fourth.
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