04Mickelson’s u.s. oPen clubs
if there is a major approaching, then you can bet phil
mickelson is in full tinker mode. with the u.s. open
next week at congressional cc in bethesda, md.,
mickelson is gearing up by putting a new weapon
in his bag, a 2-iron that isn’t new—he has had it six
years—but that he has altered in a way to make it
useful. “i am excited about the three clubs that i’ll
use off the tee as far as driver, 3-wood and a 2-iron
that i feel very confident with,” mickelson said at the
memorial, where he gave the 2-iron some warm-up
cuts. “i think it’s going to be the mainstay. it’ll be in
for the u.s. open.” whether it’s two drivers at the
masters or, in the case of the 2008 u.s. open at
torrey pines gc, not using a driver at all, mickelson
never ceases to seek ways to gain an advantage.
these unorthodox approaches don’t always work
out, like at torrey pines, yet the four-time major
champion, who turns 41 on the first day of the open
at congressional, remains a compelling contender
not only for his ideas, but also for the enthusiasm
he still musters. if he never adds a victory to his five
u.s. open runner-up finishes, it won’t be for lack of
effort or earnest experimentation. —D.S.
andy lyons/getty images
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