Phil Mickelson followers know how fervently he wants to win the U.S. Open and complete the career grand slam. So it was no surprise to learn that the popular Lefty became, on Thursday, the first big-name golfer to practice at Chambers Bay, the Washington state site of next month’s national championship.
Phil Mickelson, still chasing U.S. Open, is 1st superstar to tackle unique Chambers Bay
Phil Mickelson makes no secret of the fact that he is on a mission to capture the U.S. Open — the one grand slam event he has yet to win — so it’s no surprise he becomes the 1st high-profile player to practice at Chambers Bay.
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“Glad I’m spending some time here,” Mickelson told a local Fox TV station during an impromptu interview from a seat inside his SUV.
“It’s a very interesting golf course,” he said following a 3.5-hour practice session on the front nine with short-game coach Dave Pelz and caddie Jim Mackay.
Aaron Levine, sports director for Seattle’s KCPQ, tweeted about the particulars of Mickelson’s adventure:
Mickelson 1st glimpse of @ChambersBayGolf: "We're having a great time. It's very versatile. There's a lot of different ways to set it up."
— Aaron Levine (@AaronQ13Fox) May 28, 2015 Biggest surprise for Mickelson on @ChambersBayGolf? "How much a links-style British Open golf course it really is." pic.twitter.com/m0o9QwWqvR
— Aaron Levine (@AaronQ13Fox) May 28, 2015 Mickelson happy he's spending time @ChambersBayGolf: "There's a lot of different ways to play it." @usopengolf @USGA pic.twitter.com/98r9dZwNf0
— Aaron Levine (@AaronQ13Fox) May 28, 2015 Mickelson tested the undulation on #9 green @ChambersBayGolf by throwing golf ball up left slope. @usopengolf pic.twitter.com/4Vpb4q3Tsg
— Aaron Levine (@AaronQ13Fox) May 28, 2015 Phil Mickelson also played both tees @ChambersBayGolf on #1. As a Par 5 two days (left), as a Par 4 two days (right) pic.twitter.com/tZMc9RiGxb
— Aaron Levine (@AaronQ13Fox) May 29, 2015 Dave Pelz helped Mickelson by placing alternate hole locations on the greens @ChambersBayGolf in prep for @usopengolf pic.twitter.com/GncYAxOxfr
— Aaron Levine (@AaronQ13Fox) May 29, 2015 Finally, my favorite pic: Mickelson in shorts, untucked shirt w/ a distance finder. Eat your heart out, @PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/7pXrvjUMtJ
— Aaron Levine (@AaronQ13Fox) May 29, 2015 The six-time U.S. Open runner-up, and those hoping to thwart his chances of notching his sixth major title, will begin their quest to tame Chambers Bay on June 18.
In addition to scouting the track USGA executive director Mike Davis has cautioned will require multiple trips to learn its “uniqueness,” according to Golf Digest, Mickelson will tune up for the real deal at next week’s Memorial and the FedEx St. Jude Classic a week later.
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