|
San Diego, California Phil Mickelson claims to have stretched an extra inch or so by working out during the last year or two. One wonders if his game will ever re-join his body. He stands at the edge now of a fearful career precipice. Literally, if you consider the tumbling edges to the monstrous Torrey Pines Golf Course on which he and the rest of the world play for the United States championship this week. Figuratively, as well, for the Man with the Magic Touch will never have a better venue for resurrection. Though Tiger Woods has made this place his own during the years, it remains the layout where Mickelson grew up and he should have a home court advantage. He knows every inch, every blade of kikuyu, every wisp of Pacific breeze. If he is to shed the humbling memories of his 72nd-hole meltdown at Winged Foot, it must come soon and it surely would be here. First of all, must he? Must he win this U.S. Open to somehow avoid going down in golf history as another Scott Simpson or Curtis Strange? Both are fine men, great golfers, better fathers and husbands, but where would you place them in our annals? Mickelson seeks higher ground and justifiably so, for few have wandered our fields with more talent.  Phil Mickelson has the home-court advantage at Torrey Pines this week. Suppose he wins this week. Suppose he finds a way to conquer not only the 7,600 yards of Southern California majesty but his own inner demons, what do we make of it? It would be his fourth career major championship and it seems only recently we wondered if he would ever win one. And it would move him within a British victory of a career grand slam and another notch in his expanding belt. Suppose he doesn't win this week. Suppose he continues this baffling succession of haphazard attempts since the stunning victory at the Players two years ago. Was that merely a momentary blimp on a downward spiral, set in motion by one wickedly-awful tee shot in this same U.S. Open two years ago? It would not be the first time someone with the world on a string saw his career go flat in the space of a few hours. Arnold Palmer, bless his heart, was never quite the same after blowing the Open to Billy Casper at Olympic. So the questions gather, like storm clouds, as we meet here. Most of them will involve the healing of Mr. Woods. But there is a much larger issue at stake. Too much of a stretch? Author, producer and writer Jim Huber spent 16 award-winning years at CNN. His accolades include an Emmy for his writing during the 1996 Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta and the Edward R. Murrow award for excellence in writing. |
Newswire 
