If this is Phil Mickelson’s last U.S. Open, this is goodbye

Oakmont, Pennsylvania – He turned his head about an inch, smiled, then pinched his thumb and index finger together and raised them to his forehead. His first and last name have just been announced from the microphone and now his choreography is synonymous with his Southpaw Swing.

Phil Mickelson’s hat tip, decorated with all the cheesy glory.

“Is that Phil?” the audience asked frantically and enthusiastically.

“There is Phil,” another fan shouted.

Some things never change. But nothing lasts forever. Mickelson also last week at Liv Golf’s Virginia event, where he was asked if he had considered the dangers he had encountered at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club this week. Four years ago, a few days before his 51st birthday, he won the PGA title and won five of his invitations, which he frantically won six of his titles.

But in 2026, he will dry.

Is that true?

“I haven’t thought too much about it yet,” Mickelson said.

This depends largely on whether Mickelson, who has a turbulent relationship with the American Golf Association, will be invited. USGA Chief Champion Officer John Bodenhamer on Wednesday was neither yes nor no, which means we have to think about whether this week is one Goodbye or this goodbye? Arnold Palmer won a proper national championship in Oakmont, but Mickelson’s situation was even more complicated. His actions towards Liv Golf have deeply polarized him. He thinks he is developing the game while others point to division and Saudi money.

But you will always get a hat tip. Or thumb up. Sometimes one after another. The tribute person lets you in. Superman for every man, woman and child. Here Friday, after he opened 74 points, it seems that the story might have been written on Sunday night. On the 5th, 4th, Mickelson stuffed 15-inch wedges. On the 11th hole of the 4th 11th, he rolled with a 14-foot ball after bogeys of 7 and 8. But there is no more retro Phil than his third shot at 15 points, who is behind rough (of course) hipster fairway metal and asks nearby Liv Golf Cameraman to stop moving (of course). He refined a wedge about 100 feet from his target and watched his ball drip into 12 feet. At that time, Mickelson was one quarter of the game, three inside the tangent.

But for every big thumb of Mickelson, there is a thumb. We play golf with its casino-like teasing – you won a bet before, so you should win again, and Mickelson always seems to hit it when he was 20. With Mickelson, you just need to watch the U.S. Open for examples.

In 2006, on the winged feet, the tee opened a reception tent and a double bogey on the 72nd hole, wiping off a single shot lead. Next year’s Open is Shinnecock in 2004 – Mickelson is your leader after 70 holes, and then he waved for the 71st time. In 2009 at Bethpage Black (home of this year’s Ryder Cup), he was your co-leader, and before his 15th and 17th holes, he was five holes. He was doomed to the final pair at Merion in 2013, before the bogey run of the latter nine. In 1999, at Pinehurst 2, Payne Stewart hit a memorable statue on the putt, and Mickelson finished second with a shot. Overall, Mickelson finished second almost six times.

Mickelson missed his standard putt on the 15th after the sublime wedge.

At the age of 15 on Friday, he missed a bogey putt.

Six.

Mickelson’s vintage Mickelson is younger than 17-year-old Mickelson, which is 405 yards for 305, you’ll be in 305 yards, hoping to get 3, but go 4 and keep going – or walk with caution and iron to the wind. It was a risk-reward hole, and Mickelson doubled and ruptured. He shot the tee into the downhill of the front bunker, stabbing the second shot into the sand, hitting it, and piercing it from 35 feet. Why shoot a big tee? Why is it tricky on the second shot? always Why.

Eight.

He needs a 18-year-old bird.

After driving along the right and ironing 10 feet, he has a chance. A good person. As he waited on the green, the thunder sounded and played partner Brian Harman, asking, “Do you feel safe?” Mickelson said he did, and the putter was hit.

Mickelson swipes right.

About 500 people or in the rain, cheering. He acknowledged them. He went to score and finally quit. The press conference is waiting for the offer – what will he say? What Can He said? – But he refused. He walked into the warm hospitality of the players, and his caddie, Jon Yarbrough, brought his bag to Mickelson’s grey courtesy Lexus. There, his team waited. About 10 minutes later, Mickelson walked up between two officers, who were rock compatible. The rain is pouring out now. Mickelson calls for golf. No discovery.

He dug some gloves. He handed them over to the officers, shook hands and thanked them.

Salute until the end.

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