U.S. Open notebook: Phil’s last one?, Rahm’s low-am memories, key factors

OAKMONT, Pa. – Phil Mickelson turns 55 on Monday. It’s the day after the final round of the U.S. Open, which will be the 34th of his legendary career. It might also be his last one.

Mickelson’s five-year U.S. Open exemption for winning the 2021 PGA Championship – and in the process, making golf history as the oldest major winner at age 50 – expires after this year, so there’s no guarantee of future appearances. It’s not something the HyFlyers GC captain is really contemplating; he’d rather concentrate on playing his best at Oakmont and having a chance to become the seventh player to complete the career grand slam.

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But he also can’t ignore the realities involved with chasing the one major crown that has eluded him.

“There’s a high likelihood that it will be [his last one],” Mickelson said.

If needed, the USGA could give Mickelson a special exemption next year for Shinnecock Hills. But they’ve already given him one in 2021 – which, as it turns out, he didn’t need after winning the PGA.

Asked Wednesday about the potential of another exemption for Mickelson next year, USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer said: “It’s like anything. We would review things for Shinnecock ahead of next year and look at all of those possibilities and evaluate it from there.

“I think the way that we would also think of Phil is we hope he earns his way in, and I think he'd tell you the same thing. That's what he did last time. We gave him one and then he went out and won the PGA Championship. So wouldn't put it past him.”

Mickelson actually doesn’t have to win this week. A top-10 finish would earn an exemption for next year – and given his current form, with three top-6 finishes in his last six LIV Golf starts, that’s certainly not out of the question.

On the flip side, Oakmont has never treated him well. He tied for 47th in the 1997 U.S. Open, then missed the cut in 2007 and 2016.,

If he doesn’t produce a top 10, Mickelson would also have the option of going through qualifying next year, although he was non-committal about that possibility when the topic was broached. “I haven’t thought that far,” he said.

What he has thought about is how much fun he’s having at the moment, producing some of the vintage Phil magic last week in Virginia with an epic sidehill-lie, over-his-back flop shot for a birdie late in his final round. It was the highlight of a final-round 6-under 65 that vaulted him into a tie for fourth.

“Having opportunities to compete and win again is what’s so exciting,” Mickelson said. “I would love to have a few more this year and hopefully break through and get one.”

RAHM’S LOW AM MEMORIES

Jon Rahm's first U.S. Open – in fact, his first major start – was nine years ago at Oakmont. He was a 21-year-old amateur at the time, although it was his fifth start in a professional event.

After opening with a 6-over 76 that include both a triple- and a double-bogey, he rallied with a 69 in the second round Saturday morning (play had been pushed back due to weather issues) to make the cut. He followed with a respectable 72-70 finish to tie for 23rd and claim low amateur honors.

The bigger picture is that he acquired a quick dose of confidence that his game would translate to golf’s biggest stages.

“Having to go out Saturday morning after sitting out all day Friday and knowing I had to shoot a low score to make the cut and doing it and shooting 1-under was a huge deal,” Rahm recalled. “I know I got up-and-down on 18 to a short pin and from just past it on the right to make the cut.

“I think I was already in it even if I bogeyed, but to get in and just keep performing well – those last three days, I believe I was somewhere between even and 2-over par. That was a huge deal. To finish that high was a massive confidence booster in many ways; when I approached a tough golf course, which I did the week after that, I had the confidence that I could get it done.”

FATHERS ON FATHER’S DAY

The final round of the U.S. Open almost always falls on Father’s Day, and this year is no exception. Of the 14 LIV Golf players in the field, 10 have children – and all 10 of those players would love to celebrate Father’s Day with a chance to win a major.

The only new father among the group is Ripper GC Captain Cameron Smith. He and wife Shanel welcomed their first child, Remy, earlier this year.

THOUGHTS ON OAKMONT

“Everybody knows this is probably the toughest golf course in the world right now, and you have to hit the fairways, you have to hit greens, and you have to two-putt, worst-case scenario. When you've got those putts inside 10 feet, you've got to make them. It's a great test of golf. I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure everybody else is. I think the person that wins this week is going to hit a lot of fairways and make a lot of putts.” – Bryson DeChambeau

“You're aware of what a golf tournament here is going to be like, it's going to be a challenge. A lot of unfortunate things are going to happen. It's hard fairways to hit, bad lies, difficult bunkers, difficult greens. It's going to be a nice test, a difficult test. And I think one of the truest representations of what a U.S. Open is all about.” – Jon Rahm

“The course is just as hard as I remember, if not harder. … Every hole out here, you've just got to find a way to hit the fairway. … Seems like it's tougher this time around, but that's just maybe with the little bit of added length. It's going to make it a little more difficult.” – Dustin Johnson

KEY FACTORS

The folks at Champion Data have identified eight key statistical factors that should prove vital in determining the champion this week. Here are the key factors and the top three LIV Golf players in the field in each category (LIV Golf overall ranking in the category). *Note: Kozuma and Ballester not listed due to limited starts this season

(Photo courtesy of Logan Whitton/USGA)