World's Top Two Players Comfortable At Torrey Pines

Woods, Mickelson Prepping For U.S. Open

January 23, 2008

By Ken Klavon, USGA

San Diego - An ailing Phil Mickelson steadied himself before lurching onto the makeshift stage in the media room Wednesday at Torrey Pines Golf Club.

Noticeably thinner, gaunt and eyes as red as a Caribbean sunset, Mickelson sat before the assembled group of reporters looking bereft of sleep. Felled by a nasty illness since October, he soon perked up. Two issues - the U.S. Open and Tiger Woods - quickly caught his attention.

The latter put him in defensive spin-speak. The 1990 U.S. Amateur champion and four-time U.S. Open runner-up wasn't sure what to make of Woods' recent post to his Web site stating he thought golf's Grand Slam was achievable this year. The issue was obviously played up because of their rivalry, real or imagined. After all, perception is reality. Is it not?

"Well, he's obviously a very confident player and he should be," said Mickelson, a three-time major champion. "He's won countless events and double-digit majors.

Four-time U.S. Open runner-up Phil Mickelson is hoping to finally bring home the trophy this June in his hometown of San Diego. (USGA Photo Archives)

"I think that this year I should be able to put myself in contention as well and I look forward to the opportunity to compete against him."

If Woods, an eight-time USGA champion, should pull off the vaunted Grand Slam, it would put him within one major victory of Jack Nicklaus' record 18. Woods didn't backtrack Wednesday. He understands he's judged solely by wins.

"I've had that happen before, won two majors in a row and people say, 'What's wrong with you?'" said Woods laughing. "It is what it is. The question is, do I see it as a possibility? And I say yes.

"For most of my career I've won more than four tournaments a year per year, and all I have to do is win the right four, and I've done those a few times. . A couple years ago I came within four shots of at least being in a playoff - winning or being in a playoff on all four, so yeah, I think it's possible."

It begins this week at Torrey Pines as the defending Buick Invitational-champion Woods aims to begin his 12th season on the PGA Tour with a win, which would be the sixth time he's won his first start of the year. Win or no win, building a strategy for the U.S. Open is like foregoing the battle to win the war.

In some ways Torrey Pines, built in the 1950s, stands as a piece of real estate that both players would like to personally annex. Mickelson played many of his high school golf events on Torrey Pines' South Course, site of the 2008 U.S. Open, and currently resides in nearby Rancho Santa Fe. Every week when he's home, Mickelson has played the city-owned facility. He admitted that Rees Jones' 2001 redesign, done with the U.S. Open in mind, erased "all that local knowledge I had."

Woods, who seems to conquer all that he surveys, grew up in southern California as well, played in the Junior World in July three times at Torrey Pines and knows the nuances of the course every bit as well as Mickelson. Maybe a bit more judging by past success at the Buick Invitational.

Since 1999, Mickelson (twice) and Woods (five) have combined to win seven Buick titles. But for either player, the ultimate coup de grace would come in June, and both realize the course won't resemble what they will see this week.

"I played when it was burnt out, bone dry, fog delays," said Woods.

"I've seen what can happen here that time of year, and I do feel comfortable on this golf course. It's a matter of having my game show up at the right time."

The same hypothesis would need to prove true for Mickelson. It is one reason that, as miserable as he looks and feels, he decided not to withdraw. It is a golden opportunity to study the layout in a competitive situation. Many of the players are making no secret about developing mental bookmarks for the Open. Mickelson said they'd be crazy not to.

Without giving too much away, Mickelson hinted that he'll pay close attention to the original William Bell design that features greens with merciless breaks. This week the green speeds will roll between 10½ and 11 feet on the Stimpmeter, according to PGA Tour Tournament Director Mark Russell. Mike Davis, the USGA's senior director of Rules and competitions, hopes to have the greens firmer and running around 13 on the Stimpmeter for the Open.

Glancing at the Buick field, Mickelson said "so many guys are here to get ready and know the golf course, learn some of the tricks on the greens and where to play it, where you can hit it, where you can't and try to get ready for the U.S. Open."

If he can take his own advice, maybe he can derail Woods' sense of purpose come June.

Ken Klavon is the USGA's Editor of New Media. E-mail him with questions or comments at kklavon@usga.org.