U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

June 17, 2001

Phil Mickelson

PHIL MICKELSON: I don't know exactly what I learned today. I think that it was a difficult day for me, in that I did not play the way I would have liked, obviously. I didn't have the same feeling that I did the first three rounds, where I really felt I could get to this golf course, make some birdies. Today there were not as many accessible pins and it seemed as though on the holes that were accessible I missed the fairways, so it made it very difficult for me to make birdies. But I felt like I hung in there for the first seven, eight holes and made some good pars and was even par on the round. On 9, I felt starting at 9 I could make birdies. 9 through 13 all were very birdieable. When I missed that fairway and made bogey, that certainly stung, as did the bogey on 10. That really took a lot of momentum out. On 13 I missed some short putts. I'm not going to beat myself up over today's round. It's certainly not the finish I would have liked, but out of playing 45 majors or so now, and not winning any, I'm tired of beating myself up time after time. If I happen to win the British Open or the PGA this year, that would be great. And it's something I will be gungho for and working hard for, but again, if it doesn't happen, I'm tired of beating myself up.

PHIL MICKELSON: I've certainly felt some support. It's been a very enjoyable week. The whole week has been fun. The golf course was set up very well, it was a fun test. The weather held off for us, it wasn't too hot. And I thought that the whole week went very well. And certainly one bad round is not going to spoil the way I look at this tournament.

PHIL MICKELSON: Quite a few years. I really thought that I should have been winning major championships in the mid '90s. I had a great shot at Shinnecock and some Masters, and didn't do it. And I would leave really dejected and feeling down. But the way I look at it, last year I played well in the four majors and had zero chances to win. And this year I've improved my game, had great opportunities heading into the final round. Granted, I didn't come through and win, it was very exciting to at least have the opportunity to win. And I fully expect that if I continue to play the way I have, I should have a good shot at the British Open and PGA.

PHIL MICKELSON: I tried hard on that birdie putt, and it just didn't do what I wanted. It's not like I didn't try. I don't know what happened. I think I just pulled it.