SB Nation Arizona: All Posts by Brendan Porath

Phil Mickelson uses wedge off putting green at Merion

2013-06-16T22:56:53Z

Phil Mickelson might be the best wedge player in the world, just ask him (via PGA Tour pro Colt Knost):

I told Phil one day he's pretty good with his wedges, he replied "no, I'm really f'ing good with them" #legend #usopen
— Colt Knost (@ColtKnost) June 16, 2013

As you can see, he's quite confident with wedge in hand. So confident, that on Sunday at Merion he opted to take wedge off the green, keeping putter in the bag at No. 15. A significant undulation between his ball and the far back-right pin location prompted the unusual move. Phil thought he could get it closer to the cup by lofting it up and over the undulation as opposed to making some circus putt. It was not a bad idea, in theory, but even the world's best wedge player couldn't pull it off:

After thinning it all the way to the back of the green, he two putted for bogey to drop a shot off the lead.

More golf from SB Nation:

• Poor 3rd dooms Tiger | Why do we cheer for Tiger?

• Think Merion is unfair? It’s not supposed to be easy

• Who is Billy Horschel? | Horschel dance

• Sergio heckled with taunts of "Fried chicken!"

• Four Days in Fort Worth: Putting on a PGA Tour event

Phil Mickelson sinks wedge shot to retake lead at 2013 U.S. Open

2013-06-16T21:43:37Z

Phil Mickelson couldn't catch a break on Sunday's final round at Merion, burning edge after edge and dropping out of the lead...until No. 10. Mickelson, long known as one of the best wedge players in the world, came out of the rough from 76 yards and this one didn't miss any edges:

Not the most athletic of reactions to the amazing turn of events. The eagle at No. 10 puts him back at even-par and into sole possession of the lead.

A nice little birthday present for the five-time runner-up who's trying to capture to white whale of his career. And that could be the signature moment.

2013: U.S. Open: Jason Day never putts at No. 11, still bogeys

2013-06-16T21:31:19Z

Merion stays winning.

The top of the leaderboard shuffle continues into Sunday evening, with one player after another imploding on a hole-by-hole basis. Jason Day, who began the final round four shots back of Phil MIckelson, momentarily jumped up into a share of the lead with Justin Rose at even-par.

But Day then tightened up on Merion's signature 11th hole, opting to try and muscle an approach shot out the rough and up to the green. His ball never had a chance, and came up well short and down into Cobb's Creek.

Day then chunked his drop shot again, leaving it in more thick stuff in front of the green. Just when it looked like it would be a blow-up hole to cost the Aussie the U.S. Open, he went ahead and chipped in for bogey.

Only at the U.S. Open could you never stroke a putt on a hole and still make bogey.

More golf from SB Nation:

• Poor 3rd dooms Tiger | Why do we cheer for Tiger?

• Think Merion is unfair? It’s not supposed to be easy

• Who is Billy Horschel? | Horschel dance

• Sergio heckled with taunts of "Fried chicken!"

• Four Days in Fort Worth: Putting on a PGA Tour event

2013 U.S. Open: Luke Donald goes for a dip in Merion's Cobb's Creek

2013-06-16T20:05:05Z

The last hour of the U.S. Open's final round has been nothing short of a disaster. There's been a broken club, volunteers getting plunked in the head, and a shank that went farther right than forward.

Luke Donald, who was responsible for knocking the young female volunteer in the noggin, also went on an adventure in Merion's famed Cobb's Creek. At the par-5 fourth, Donald's ball came up shot of the green but the thick rough fortuitously kept his ball from rolling down into the water. Donald, on the other hand, jumped right in:

Even Donald, regarded as the best short-game player in the world, could not get the ball anywhere near the hole or even on the green.

If this first hour of the leaders final round is any indication, it's going to be a long but entertaining afternoon in Philly.

More golf from SB Nation:

• Poor 3rd dooms Tiger | Why do we cheer for Tiger?

• Think Merion is unfair? It’s not supposed to be easy

• Who is Billy Horschel? | Horschel dance

• Sergio heckled with taunts of "Fried chicken!"

• Four Days in Fort Worth: Putting on a PGA Tour event

Rory McIlroy takes out U.S. Open frustrations by bending his Nike clubs

2013-06-16T19:35:36Z

Rory McIroy isn't having the best year, season, or week. Ever since his new endorsement deal with Nike was announced in a laser light show in Abu Dhabi back in January, last year's world No. 1 has struggled to make much of a "dent" in any tournament or contend.

His season struggles have continued at Merion, where he's been out-of-form off the tee, with his irons, and around the green and is currently at 13-over. The week was probably best summed up with another poor shot that he completely lost out to the right on No. 11, finding famed Cobbs Creek yet again. McIlroy, who doesn't get too agitated on the course, took out the poor shot on his new(ish) Nike sticks:

Phil Knight can't be happy with that.

Thomas Pagel of the USGA jumped in on the NBC broadcast to explain that Rory, even if he wanted to, could no longer use the club because of the alteration and the fact that it became "unfit" not during the course of play.

2013 U.S. Open: Shawn Stefani's Sunday is 16 shots better in wild weekend at Merion

2013-06-16T18:54:02Z

In a span of 24 hours, Shawn Stefani shot rounds of 85 and 69 at Merion. A 16-shot swing from day-to-day is just the most recent example of U.S. Open treachery.

On Saturday, Stefani played his first 10 holes in 13-over, and went out in 47!! on an asbolutely horrid front nine at Merion's East Course. The day-to-day contrast is pretty remarkable, yanno, for someone who plays golf for a living. Look at all the colors and crooked numbers (via PGATour.com):

A 47 -- that might actually, maybe could, just possibly be a number that some weekend high single digit hacker could turn in. Of course, this shot on Sunday into Merion's extremely long par-3 17th is a shot that a weekend chop probably couldn't make:

An that's how you go from 15-shots over par one day to 1-under par the next.

More golf from SB Nation:

• Poor 3rd dooms Tiger | Why do we cheer for Tiger?

• Think Merion is unfair? It’s not supposed to be easy

• Who is Billy Horschel? | Horschel dance

• Sergio heckled with taunts of "Fried chicken!"

• Four Days in Fort Worth: Putting on a PGA Tour event

2013 U.S. Open: Predictions for Phil Mickelson, top of leaderboard on Sunday at Merion

2013-06-16T16:15:06Z

It's Sunday at the 2013 U.S. Open, where a loaded leaderboard is full of American and International stars. Most of the players near the top of the leaderboard are accomplished and proven commodities who are still grinding for their first major. Two, Phil Mickelson and Charl Schwartzel, already have major wins and are in prime position for another career-defining victory. The talents chasing those two are in comparable positions to Adam Scott, an elite world-class player who had mutliple close calls at the majors and was dogged by a resume full of wins and earnings but without a major title.

More: Full tee times, pairings for Sunday

The U.S. Open is unlike any other major in that it's extremely difficult to make an upward move in just 18 holes. The most likely path to getting in contention is holding on at even par -- or perhaps getting a few fortunate breaks to finish a few shots under par -- and then hoping that the players ahead of you come apart, carding big numbers and dropping back to the field. With that dynamic in play, here are some "power rankings" of players with the best chance to win on Sunday at Merion.

1. Phil Mickelson (1-under) -- The five-time U.S. Open runner-up is the most accomplished player on the leaderboard, but he's also the most volatile and has a cursed Sunday history at America's national championship. Casting all the past U.S. Open baggage aside, Mickelson seems to have figured out Merion, picking his spots to go for birdie but otherwise keeping it in between the lane lines and playing conservatively. The chasers behind him aren't exactly no-names, with some of the most consistently good Euro and American golfers within two shots. But after sleeping on the lead each day this week, and learning to navigate Merion's brutal five finishing holes with success, Phil will finally capture that white whale of his career. Besides, there's no such thing as curses.

2. Charl Schwartzel (even-par) -- There are certainly better stories on the leaderboard that the media's ready to gobble, but no better players. Schwartzel's been in contention on a weekly basis this season, regrouping from a lackluster 2012 tour. In what is the most intense and toughest test of golf in the world, Schwartzel is unflinching and can deal best with the bogey or worse that is sure to creep up on Sunday. The quiet South African is comparable to Angel Cabrera, another relatively unknown but unflappable international player who always shows up to win majors.

3. Justin Rose (1-over) -- The No. 5 player in the world finished with back-to-back bogeys to drop out of a share of the lead, but his tee-to-green game is the best of the contenders. What he does with the putter when he gets there, however, is the bigger question -- particularly on a Sunday at the U.S. Open. But of all the Euros -- there are 10 tied for 16th or better -- Rose has the best form. His career began with that incredibly impressive fourth-place finish at the British as an amateur in 1998. But he wandered in obscurity, losing his game before emerging again as one of the best in the world. He's been close at the majors multiple times in the last five years, but his iron game into some nasty Sunday pins today will provide him with his best opportunity yet.

4. Luke Donald (1-over) -- Much like Rose, Donald gave it all away coming into the clubhouse on Sunday with a bogey and double bogey to drop three shots and out of a share of the lead. Donald's been on top of the leaderboard throughout Friday and Saturday, getting to 4-under on two different occasions. The former No. 1 player in the world has accomplished everything -- top rankings, a money title in America, a money title in Europe, anchor of Ryder Cup wins -- but is still without a major. Given all his success, it's the persistent question that dogs him each and every major week, only adding to the pressure. The pin placements on Sunday are brutal, with most cups less than five paces from the edge. A short game chipping up and onto the green will be essential, and Donald is regarded as having the best short game in the world. That will keep him around all day, but can he wash out the ugly taste from that finish Saturday night?

(Credit: Andrew Redington)

5. Steve Stricker (even-par) -- Aside from Mickelson, the press would become weak in the knees if Stricker was in contention down the stretch and converted. The All-American dad on Father's Day, who's cut down drastically on his schedule this season, forgoing cash for family time back home in Wisconsin. The aging 46-year-old who's come so close but is just about out of chances. The narratives are all there.

Stricker is the oldest player in contention, but that's not exactly a new position for him given the career resurgence he's had in his 40s as the best putter on the planet. Since 2006, he's made the cut in 24 of the 27 majors he's played in and finished inside the top 10 six times. He's always around on Sunday, but this is his best chance, coming off a miraculous back nine 32 on Saturday night that put him one shot off the pace. He's unlikely to bomb out early and go away, but can he steady the nerves with the typically deadly putter to convert a couple birdies and par saves?

6. Hunter Mahan (even-par) -- Like Stricker, Mahan is one of the elite American golfers, playing in multiple Ryder cups and winning some of the biggest events on the PGA Tour. But he's still without a major and will definitely be grinding in the final group paired with Mickelson. Mahan had been lurking in the background all week, not really a focus of the broadcast until late Saturday when he reeled off four birdies in seven holes to jump to the top of the leaderboard. He, like Rose and Donald, finished bogey-bogey on the last to drop back but was the first in the house with an even-par score to lock up a spot in that final pairing. And that's one reason why I've listed the other players ahead of Mahan -- a talented golfer who can feel the pressure more than others, playing in the whirlwind Phil show with the crowd and TV cameras going nuts around. It could make for a tough day.

7. Jason Day (2-over) -- Can Day make it back-to-back Aussies at the majors this year? He watched as close friend Adam Scott narrowly edged him out at Augusta, a venue where he's finished second and third in two of the past three years. He also has a second-place finish at the U.S. Open, albeit by a distant margin to Rory McIlroy back at Congressional. Three shots back, Day will need to get to work early and pick up some birdies to put pressure on the groups behind him. A major championship is likely in his future, but this Sunday will be an uphill climb given the talent ahead of him on the board.

8. Billy Horschel (1-over) -- The least-known commodity in the field, Horschel has been lighting up courses on Tour all season. But his most impressive, and historic feat, came on Friday when he went 18-for-18 hitting all greens in regulation. It was even more impressive than his first career win in New Orleans earlier this season, as it had never been done before and the USGA has already asked for a piece of memorabilia from Horschel for their little golf history museum. But that round is likely the high point for Horschel, who's playing in just his second major ever. With all the pressure on the bigger names, however, he could come out of nowhere and make a run late Sunday. The U.S. Open, particularly at the toughest venues, is known for producing relatively obscure champions.

9. Rickie Fowler (3-over) -- Decked in Oklahoma State orange, Fowler will be another young player making a run at his first major on Sunday. He was so far down the leaderboard that he actually started in the groups going off the back nine on Saturday, but the low-round of the day, a 67, pushed him all the way up into the top 10. He's four shots back of buddy Phil and in sole possession of ninth place. It's a significant margin to make up in 18 holes of U.S. Open golf, but we're seeing some of the players in the earlier wave getting two and three shots under par on the front nine. Fowler needs a comparable start and and then finish with a round at least as good as the 67 yesterday.

10. Charley Hoffman (wild card) (6-over) -- There are bigger names on the leaderboard lurking five or six shots back -- Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Ernie Els -- but Hoffman's form this year and his ability to drain birdies this week make him my wild card pick to jump up near the lead. The U.S. Open is an entirely different beast than the Masters, where the saying goes that anyone within six shots of the lead on the back nine on Sunday still has a chance to win it. There's just not that much upward movement at the USGA's most prestigious title, where players grind to hang onto par. But Hoffman tied with three others for the most birdies made through three rounds. He's been hot over the past two months, so can he carry that form into Sunday and go low to pull off the upset? It's doubtful, but I think he's the best candidate.

So those are my official, moderately informed power rankings as the final pairings prepare for the final round in the toughest test in golf. Where did I go wrong, and who do you have winning the 113th U.S. Open?

More golf from SB Nation:

• Poor 3rd dooms Tiger | Why do we cheer for Tiger?

• Think Merion is unfair? It’s not supposed to be easy

• Who is Billy Horschel? | Horschel dance

• Sergio heckled with taunts of "Fried chicken!"

• Four Days in Fort Worth: Putting on a PGA Tour event

U.S. Open 2013: Justin Rose wins, Phil Mickelson settles for 2nd again at Merion Golf Club

2013-06-16T12:27:21Z

On another brutal day at Merion, Justin Rose emerged as the winner of the 113th U.S. Open while Phil Mickelson settled for his sixth second-place finish at his country's national championship.

Phil Mickelson started out his third round slowly, but three birdies on the final nine holes propelled him back into the lead at the 2013 U.S. Open. Mickelson shot an even-par 70 on Saturday and sits atop the leaderboard at 1-under, good for a one-stroke lead.

More U.S. Open: Complete coverage Leaderboard updates

As he did in the first two rounds, Mickelson played the toughest stretch of the Merion Golf Club as well as anyone. While other leaders, including Charl Schwartzel and Huter Mahan, limped into the clubhouse, Mickelson played the difficult final stretch from No. 14 to No. 18 at even. He took over sole possession of first place with a birdie at No. 17, just one of five birdies at the 17th on the day. Mickelson's lone blemish on the final stretch came at No. 18, where his par putt came up a half-rotation short.

Mickelson got off to a bit of a shaky start, with bogeys at No. 3 and No. 5, but things changed once he made the turn. Heading to the backside, Mickelson had just one birdie in his last 29 holes, but he quickly changed that with a birdie on the short Par 4 10th hole, and that proved to just be the start. He moved back to even par on the day with another birdie at No. 11, and Mickelson's round could have been even better, as he had a number of birdie putts come up just short on the final nine holes.

More: Sunday's final round pairings, tee times

Although Mickelson will open the final round with the lead, he'll have a number of elite players right behind him. Of the six players within two shots of the lead, five are ranked in the top 22 in the world. Luke Donald, the No. 6 player in the world, will open the final round one-stroke behind Mickelson as he chases his first major title. Donald had a chance to join Mickelson in the red through three rounds, but double-bogeyed the 18th hole to drop to 1-over.

Hunter Mahan and Charl Schwartzel were tied for the lead at 2-under late in their rounds, but both finished bogey-bogey to drop to even par. Steve Stricker is also even-par through three rounds after carding his second-straight 70. Mahan will play with Mickelson in the final pairing on Sunday.

With approachable pin locations, Merion was supposed to be at its easiest on Saturday, but once again the course got the better of most players. The course played a bit more than four strokes over par on Saturday, slightly more difficult than it did on Thursday, but nearly a stroke easier than it did on Friday.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were among the player struggling on Saturday, as both the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the world played their way out of contention. McIlroy shot a 5-over 75 and is now nine strokes off the lead at 8-over. Woods shot a 76 in the third round and is 9-over for the tournament and well out of contention.

Here'e a look at where the field stands heading into Sunday's final round:

Place	Player	Score
1	Phil Mickelson	-1
T2	Hunter Mahan	E
T2	Charl Schwartzel	E
T2	Steve Stricker	E
T5	Justin Rose	1
T5	Luke Donald	1
T5	Billy Horschel	1
8	Jason Day	2
9	Rickie Fowler	3
10	Michael Kim (a)	4
T11	Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano	5
T11	Ian Poulter	5
T11	Henrik Stenson	5
T11	Nicolas Colsaerts	5
T11	John Senden	5
T16	David Lingmerth	6
T16	Paul Casey	6
T16	Paul Lawrie	6
T16	Lee Westwood	6
T16	Charley Hoffman	6
T16	Bo Van Pelt	6
T16	Ernie Els	6
T23	Bubba Watson	7
T23	Edward Loar	7
T25	Jason Dufner	8
T25	Jerry Kelly	8
T25	Rory McIlroy	8
T25	Morten Orum Madsen	8
T25	Mathew Goggin	8
T25	Brandt Snedeker	8
T31	Jamie Donaldson	9
T31	John Huh	9
T31	Cheng Tsung Pan (a)	9
T31	Matt Kuchar	9
T31	John Parry	9
T31	Padraig Harrington	9
T31	Matt Bettencourt	9
T31	Tiger Woods	9
T39	Hideki Matsuyama	10
T39	Scott Langley	10
T39	Bio Kim	10
T39	Adam Scott	10
T39	David Hearn	10
T44	K.J. Choi	11
T44	Webb Simpson	11
T44	Sergio Garcia	11
T44	Carl Pettersson	11
T44	George Coetzee	11
T44	Marcel Siem	11
T44	Russell Knox	11
T44	Geoff Ogilvy	11
T52	Kevin Chappell	12
T52	Josh Teater	12
T52	Nicholas Thompson	12
T55	Martin Laird	13
T55	Scott Stallings	13
T55	Steven Alker	13
T55	Dustin Johnson	13
T55	Mike Weir	13
T60	Alistair Presnell	14
T60	Jim Herman	14
T60	Matt Weibring	14
T63	David Howell	15
T63	Martin Kaymer	15
T65	Michael Weaver (a)	16
T65	John Peterson	16
T65	Kevin Phelan (a)	16
68	Peter Hedblom	17
T69	Shawn Stefani	20
T69	Kyle Stanley	20
T69	Simon Khan	20
72	Kevin Sutherland	21
73	Robert Karlsson	22

More golf from SB Nation:

• Poor 3rd dooms Tiger | Why do we cheer for Tiger?

• Think Merion is unfair? It’s not supposed to be easy

• Who is Billy Horschel? | Horscel dance

• Sergio heckled with taunts of "Fried chicken!"

• Four Days in Fort Worth: Putting on a PGA Tour event