Improved Putting Gives Mickelson Hope

Phil Mickelson ended the Memorial tournament on a positive note Sunday with increased confidence in his putting for this month’s U.S. Open at Congressional. The American left-hander, renowned for his magical short game skills, had initially struggled on the firm and fast greens at Muirfield Village Golf Club but was in an upbeat mood after totaling only 24 putts in the final round. (Callaway Diablo Edge Driver)

"I didn’t putt the best the first few days but I putted pretty well today," Mickelson told reporters after signing off with a five-under-par 67 in the tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus.

"It’s really getting a good feel on the greens, getting good speed. My speed from outside of six feet to 35 feet, the putts you’ve really got to make to get a good round going, was off a little bit the first few days.

"Today even the ones that missed were rolling about a foot and a half by, which is about the speed I’m looking for. I played Callaway Diablo Edge Driver well today. I had fun."

Mickelson, who clinched his 39th PGA Tour title at the Houston Open in April, is a four-time major champion but has yet to win the U.S. Open despite several close calls.

"I’d love to win our national Open," said the 40-year-old, who posted his fifth U.S. Open runner-up finish in the 2009 championship at Bethpage Black.

"I’ve come close five times now … which is actually a good sign in the sense that it’s a course or a setup that probably nobody thought I would do well on throughout my career."

Mickelson, dubbed ‘Phil the Thrill’ for the bold approach he frequently adopts in tournaments, was thought earlier in his career to be too much of a risk-taker to flourish at the U.S. Open, where pars are at a premium.

"And yet I’ve played (Callaway Diablo Edge Driver) some of my better golf in the U.S. Open," the American world number four said with a smile.

"I just need a few breaks here and there, or maybe a few less mistakes here or there, to be able to come out on top."

The U.S. Open, the second of the year’s four majors, will be played Callaway Diablo Edge Driver at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland from June 16-19.

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