Phil On The U.S. Open: "I can still make it"

Yes it's a longshot, but two important hurdles were cleared for Phil Mickelson to make a last-ditch effort to play this year's U.S. Open at Erin Hills and do so controversy-free.

The first is reported by Tim Rosaforte at Golf World, who lays out Mickelson's plan should any weather delay impact tee times. The forecast current suggests bad weather Wednesday, but not Thursday.

However, if there was a delay, Mickelson could conceivably land at a private airport in Hartford, Wis., just 15 minutes by car from the Open venue.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Amanda graduation and watching her make her speech,” Mickelson said. “But I can still make it. You never know. I think it’s possible.”

A second hurdle is more nuanced but equally important: the USGA has relented on alternates playing practice rounds.

In the past, had Phil remained in the field until Thursday, his possible replacement would have been forbidden from playing a practice round. But as Doug Ferguson reports, the USGA has studied their data and determined it's ok for alternates to bring their sticks and play the course.

Jeff Hall, the USGA's managing director of rules and open championships, said recent history at the U.S. Open has shown that with most players practicing in the morning, there would be room to accommodate first alternates in the afternoon.

The U.S. Open starts June 15, the first one held in Wisconsin.

''We haven't been overly public with it,'' Hall said. ''But we've been communicating to the alternates that they will be entitled to play.''

Ferguson this would apply to teh 12 first alternates from Sectionals. A nice perk too should they make the journey but not get in.

Comments

[Don]

This could be more entertaining than the golf

[Chico]

Not letting alternates practice was bizarre surely?

[ChuckDietzenTNnotIN]

Reading this, it conjured an image of Phil as Dr. Emmett L. Brown. And Bones (naturally) as Marty McFly. Or the two parachuting to the first teeing ground.
I hope Phil can make it work.

[BrianS]

I think he would have had a better shot if he had the first tee time off in the AM (before 7:00), finished up, and traveled west against the time zones - you can come in 20 minutes late for the graduation, but 3 minutes late for a tee time means you are out. Since he would have a late PM tee time on Friday, he could come back to WI late night.

[Joe Ezar]

I hope FIGJAM does not miss one minute of his daughter's graduation...........could care less if he plays in the U.S. Open.

[Ron]

If anybody thinks HS Graduation is the pro golfers idea and not his wife's I've got some magic beans for sale. Parachute in. Worked for Lexi.

[Some1]

@Chico,

Not a big deal at the Open where there are only 12 first alternates but at some championships such as the Amateur there are 100 it would be very cumbersome.

[Drew Scott]

Gee, I hope Figjam can make it back in time to finish T-53.

[3foot1]

Ron, Are you aware that Phil's daughter is the valedictorian and student body president? It would be a no-brainer for many of us.

[Drew Scott]

Press Agent,
Just an objective observation based on recent performance. His tee shots are erratic and his putting is average at best. Tough to win an Open. Granted I may be a little biased towards Phil's Father of the Century act but that merely offsets the majority who are biased in Phil's favor.
My point was I don't think he will be a factor so I don't care if he's there or not.
I'm the same guy who said four or five years ago that Tiger was addicted to painkillers and was told I was insane. Now everyone knew . . .

[Matt Evans]

Phil's driver has always been erratic, yet he's been a great US Open player. But I can't agree with any sentiment that says his putting is average. One bad week in putting is not enough to say he's now just an average putter. Phil's poor putting week dropped him from 17th to 39th on tour in strokes gained putting this year (one spot better than Spieth). He's been putting well this year up to last week. In 2016, Phil was 9th in strokes gained putting. I'd say that he's an objectively great putter with a recent slip. Regression to the mean suggest he'll get better (eventually). But I think ballstriking will win the day at Erin Hills. And he's still great in the category, despite his poor tee shot performance. He can contend if he's driving well. Otherwise, probably not.

[Jupiter]

@drew scott.. I have your back on this one. There are only a few of us on here that have been consistent with our thoughts on Tiger. It seems that his "I'm above the law" attitude has caught up with him. With that said I do hope that if he has a prescription drug problem, which I believe he does, that he can put it behind him.

[Adamup]

@Drew Scott - Sounds like you're jealous of his nickname.

One of the most exciting players to watch, I'm really hoping he makes it on time! I would rather watch him play this one in particular than any other tournament.

[mark]

@BrianS He has 5 minuets, than is out. But will get a 2 stroke penalty if he is not on the tee ready to play at his time.

[Random Fan]

Phil,

Sit this one out. You will miss the cut. Rest up for Royal Birkdale.

Better luck at Shinnecock, Pebble Beach, Winged Foot, The Country Club, or Torrey Pines.

Signed,
A Fan of Yours

[Keith - NYC]

If Mickelson plays it will be great.....if he does not play it will also be great and I hope he enjoys the graduation ceremony.....it will have zero effect on my US Open interest level one way or the other.....there's too much buzz about this story....forget the drama queen stuff and let's play golf.....it's the US Open for crissakes.

[Another Ryan]

Had the USGA not changed the rule about letting alternates practice, it would be pretty sh!tty of Phil to dangle his spot without officially withdrawing when he's already basically said it would be a very long shot for him to play. But, since alternates can practice now, there is no real harm. I don't believe these two things are a coincidence...

[Gutta Percha]

Letting first alternates practice is one victory for common sense, consideration, and treating everyone fairly. What has the USGA been drinking or not drinking (if Murphy was a factor)?

[Jupiter]

@Keith-NYC... +1

[nancy]

I agree with Keith - NYC. Please, no necessary drama!

[nancy]

In my little opinion here on this blog with many here who have more golf skills than I do...(but I watch it all), I think the field is wide open for the U.S. Open. I don't think DJ is sitting on his laurels but...is Erin Hills a course that suits him? Jason...what gives? Speith can be great when he doesn't get ahead of himself. I have my eye on Rahm and some other European golfers who are rising to the task for a Major. And the Asian players showing great talent. And then there is Rickie...let's see what happens. It will be amazing.

[Pro From Dover]

Nancy, nice homework.....you hit a lot of good points

[nancy]

@ Pro From Dover...I think I've told you I always agree with your posts; thank you for your post. Be well.

[Original AG]

Phil... make a call and stick with it. Even without you they're still planning on holding the tourney.

[CroDad]

I'll say this about Mickelson: over the past 25 years he's had the same caddie, wife, agent, enjoys a great relationship with his siblings and gets on great with his parents. That says a hell of a lot to me.

[FXF]

Can't believe folks get on Phil for making legit plans to have his cake and eat it too. He's earned the money to afford it and has the experience to back his planning. He knows what it will take to get from the graduation to the airport, what the flight time will be barring weather issues (and at this point the weather situation is starting to come into focus), and how the ground transport in Wisconsin will work. Maybe you're not supposed to be able to have your cake and eat it? Is that it?

[Ron]

It's will be pretty classic Phil to go to a media day for an event he most likely won't attend to talk about the altruistic reason he won't be there.

[thusgone]

Ron +1

[John C]

How often will Phil be checking Wisconsin weather reports during a HS graduation?