FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Will Phil Mickelson finally win his first major this week? Maybe the stars are in perfect alignment, since the final round of the 102nd U.S. Open will coincide with Mickelson's 32nd birthday as well as Father's Day.
Three years ago in Pinehurst, N.C., Mickelson held the lead on the back nine during the final round before losing by two strokes to the late Payne Stewart. Mickelson had considered withdrawing during the tournament because his wife, Amy, was ready to give birth to their first child.
"Every time I play the Open, it brings back memories of '99, playing against Payne Stewart, memories of his passing a few months later [in a plane crash] and memories of the following day when I had the birth of my first child," said Mickelson, now the father of two daughters. "So it would be very special to break through and win on that Sunday that I've been trying to win on for many years."
Mickelson was in contention last year at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla., before falling apart on the back nine Sunday to finish tied for seventh after a 5-over-par 75. He has come close in several majors, including third in the Masters the past two years and second in last year's PGA Championship.
"What I have found is that every chance that I have to play in a major championship is a wonderful opportunity to compete for the greatest thrill and the greatest trophy in the game of golf," said Mickelson, whose short putting has often betrayed him in the majors.
He is 0-for-35 in majors as a pro; 0-for-39 overall.
Be nice, Monty?
The recently launched "Be Nice To Monty" campaign got off to a shaky start yesterday.
As Colin Montgomerie was coming off the 18th green after his practice round with Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland and Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, a fan wearing one of the 25,000 "Be Nice To Monty" buttons distributed by Golf Digest asked the often-petulant Scot for his autograph.
Montgomerie walked right by.
"I hope you miss the cut," the fan yelled out.
Montgomerie, whose run-ins with American golf fans are well-chronicled, was aware of the Golf Digest campaign and is hoping that it will lead to less heckling during the 102nd U.S. Open when it begins here today at Bethpage State Park.
Touching tribute
In an emotional ceremony, a golf ball found in the rubble of the World Trade Center's South Tower was presented to the U.S. Golf Association by the 9-year-old son of a New York City firefighter who died in the terrorist attacks in New York on Sept. 11.
Joseph Vigiano Jr., whose father and uncle were killed in the line of duty, gave the ball to USGA president Reid McKenzie along with a silver band with the late firefighters' names and engine companies. John Vigiano, who lost both his sons in the aftermath of the attack, gave the USGA flags from both of the companies.