FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia found themselves in familiar positions last night as they walked off the 18th green of the Black Course at Bethpage State Park after the 102nd U.S. Open.
Both players were congratulating Tiger Woods.
While Mickelson has beaten Woods in a couple of regular PGA Tour events, and Garcia defeated Woods in a made-for-television match a couple of years ago, neither did so here.
Mickelson, who turned 32 yesterday, finished second, three shots behind after shooting an even-par 70. Garcia, 22, finished fourth, six shots behind after a 4-over 74 left him at 3-over par 283.
"I don't know if this is the proudest event I've ever played, but this was certainly not a disappointing day today," said Mickelson, still seeking his first major championship. "It was one of the most exciting days that I've had in the game of golf."
Said Garcia: "It was a positive week, I think. I found my game. I played pretty well. I hung in there. It wasn't an easy week for me. It was pretty rough. But it made me mature. I think it made me stronger mentally."
Mickelson was certainly a fan favorite, with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" sung to him before he teed off and at the awards ceremony last night. Garcia had been heckled by a crowd impatient with his pre-shot waggling routine.
The two had their chances early in the final round to put the heat on Woods.
"It was a little frustrating," Garcia said. "I've just got to keep looking forward. There's still a lot more majors to come. I know I'm going to be up there. I feel confident enough; it's just a matter of time."
Said Mickelson: "I feel as though I'm playing well. I feel as though eventually it will happen. I feel as though in three of those [majors] I played well enough to win, and it just wasn't my time. The more chances I give myself, the more opportunities there are."
A couple of comebacks
Jeff Maggert, 38, made a comeback of sorts. In the midst of a mediocre couple of years on the PGA Tour, he placed third - his best finish in an Open.
"It was a good week, it was a lot of fun," Maggert said. "It was a lot of fun playing with Phil today. I've never seen a crowd behind a player in a round of golf. It was amazing. I wish I could have played better."
Maggert, who started the day five strokes behind Woods, double-bogeyed the third hole and never really recovered. He made a couple of birdies to get back to par but wound up at 2-over 72.
"The double bogey on the third hole was definitely not what I was looking for," Maggert said. "I'm trying to shoot 3- or 4-under today. But it happens."
Perhaps the most enthused player in the field was Nick Faldo, who, despite shooting a 3-over-par 73 to finish at 5-over 285 was thrilled to be tied for fifth. It was Faldo's best finish in a major since seventh place in the 2000 Open.
"This gives me a really big boost," said Faldo, who came here on an exemption from the U.S. Golf Association and earned an automatic invitation to next year's Open.
A Daly dose
Amateur Kevin Warrick, 21, had an interesting week. Not only did he wind up as the low amateur in the field at 27-over par, but he also finished the week playing with John Daly.
The first twosome off the course played in three hours.
"It was pretty quick out there," said Warrick, who shot 74 - 10 strokes better than Saturday. "I think I held him up a few times. It was awesome. He hits it a mile. I had no clue how far he hit it."
Daly finished three shots ahead of Warrick.
Major misses
Phil Mickelson has yet to win a major, but he has finished second or third seven times:
Tournament Finish
1994 PGA Championship...3rd
1996 Masters...3rd
1999 U.S. Open...2nd
2001 Masters...3rd
2001 PGA Championship...2nd
2002 Masters...3rd
2002 U.S. Open...2nd