Golf: Mickelson Falls Apart on Last Hole of US Open
This U.S. Open will long be remembered as the one Mickelson gave away. 36-year-old Mickelson made a bogey at the 16th and an unthinkable double bogey at the 18th.
"Well, I still am in shock that I did that," Mickelson said. "I’m such an idiot."
Mickelson emerged as the outright leader when he made birdie at the 14th hole to open a two-shot cushion over Furyk, Ogilvy, Harrington and Montgomerie.
Mickelson pushed his 18th tee shot into the trampled rough. He thought he had a good lie and could get on the green.
"I had to hit a big carving slice around the tree and over-cut it," Mickelson said. "In hindsight, if I hit it in the gallery and it doesn’t cut, I am fine. I can still make bogey, even par. I ended up hitting the tree."
His ball advanced less than 30 yards. The 9-iron third shot over the tree then plugged into the soft sand of the front left bunker.
Mickelson, 0-for-5 on the day in sand saves, watched his fourth shot speed past the hole into the fringe. His next shot for bogey and a playoff slid right of the hole.
"It really stings," Mickelson said. "
As a kid I dreamt of winning this tournament. I came out here and worked hard all four days, haven’t made a bogey all week and then [double] bogeyed the last hole. I just can’t believe I did that."
Mickelson walked off the 18th green in disbelief.