Mickelson sets sights on US Open
Phil Mickelson insists the wrist injury which forced him to withdraw from the Memorial tournament in Ohio today will not keep him out of the US Open.
’Lefty’ pulled out after just 11 holes of today’s opening round at Dublin’s Muirfield Village because of problems with his left wrist.
The American was two over par at the time, having suffered a double bogey at the par-three eighth hole and a bogey at the par-five 11th.
It is a worry, with the US Open starting at Oakmont on June 14 – but Mickelson allayed fears he may not be fit to compete in the major.
He said: “I don’t think it’s anything serious.
“I’ll take a couple of days off, see if I can ice it and get it ready for the Open.
“I’ll try to even play in Memphis next week if I can, but the Open is more what we’re gearing up for.”
The world number two revealed that the wrist began hurting on Monday during a practice round at Oakmont.
He explained: “I was hitting a lot of chip shots out of the rough and I think that aggravated it.
“I hit some drivers (on the range) today and it started hurting a little bit, but nothing I thought I couldn’t handle.
“I took four Advil, thought it’s all right, and when I hit a wedge (on the second hole) it (the pain) shot up my arm.
“I kind of half-clubbed it around (after that). It just got worse. I couldn’t grab the club and couldn’t swing.”
Mickelson said he had never had a serious injury and could not recall withdrawing from a tournament before.
He added: “I’m getting older – I’m turning 37 soon and I guess this is part of the deal.
“I’m not really sure what to think of it – I’m hoping to have a chance to play next week, because I’d like to get some competition.”
Elsewhere, Sean O’Hair birdied eight of the first 13 holes on his way to the clubhouse lead.
It is less than three weeks since O’Hair battled Mickelson down the stretch at the Players’ Championship, only to drown his hopes with a quadruple bogey at the penultimate hole.
Today, O’Hair – whose only bogey came at the par-four 17th after a poor tee shot – led Ernie Els, Aaron Baddeley and Tim Herron by one shot with half the field back in the clubhouse.
O’Hair posted a seven-under 65 in ideal scoring conditions and said: “I started hitting the ball well from the beginning of the day.
“I rolled the ball great (on the greens). My speed control was really good, didn’t get too aggressive. I did a good job staying patient and did what I needed to do.”
On the climax to the Players’ Championship, he added: “The tournament didn’t end the way I wanted, but it was a great experience.
“I’m playing in the Memorial this week. I had a great day today and I’m going to try and have a good day tomorrow.”
