The only major championship that eludes Phil Mickelson will likely remain out of reach at least one more year as Lefty told the New York Times on Saturday that he plans to withdraw from the 2017 U.S. Open in order to attend his daughter Amanda's high school graduation.
Mickelson has five major championships to his name (three Masters, one Open, one PGA Championship) but has never conqured the U.S. Open. He's finished 2nd or T2 at the event six times (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2013).
"I mean obviously it's a tournament that I want to win the most, and ... the only way to win is if you play and have a chance," said Mickelson on Saturday. "But this is one of those moments where you look back on life and you just don't want to miss it. I'll be really glad that I was there and present."
Mickelson will watch his daughter graduate from Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, California, on June 15 and turn 47 one day later.
There is no greater joy, but there might be a catch. Mickelson has not officially withdrawn yet and does not plan to until as close to the tournament as possible. He said on Saturday that he has simply alerted the USGA of his plans so they can schedule tee times and alert alternates as needed.
"I didn't want Mike Davis and the USGA to be caught off guard when they made their pairings for television on Wednesday," said Mickelson. "I want the alternate to know that he most likely will be in and prepare properly. But Mike and I both agree there's no sense in (withdrawing) right now, you never know what might happen, maybe something comes up with the commencement, maybe something comes up with the weather. I don't know what will happen, but it doesn't look very good. It would have to be something unforeseen.
"But I wanted to make sure that they had enough notice to accommodate it. So that's why I'm saying something today. But it doesn't look good for me playing. But I'm really excited about this moment in our family's life."
You're telling me a school that has 105 graduating seniors isn't going to move its graduation to Wednesday night so Lefty can take the red eye across the country to play in the only tournament he needs to win the career slam? Come on.
"There's no sense withdrawing today," added Mickelson. "I'll withdraw as close to the event as possible. But I wanted the potential player, the alternate to know and also the USGA to know because they make their pairings on Wednesday. I didn't want them to be put in a spot where they're making TV pairings and what have you and have a substitute."
The paper points out that this is not the first time Mickelson playing in the U.S. Open has bumped up against one of his daughter's graduation ceremonies. Back in 2013 when Amanda graduated from middle school, Mickelson flew to California from Philadelphia and did not arrive back to the course until less than two hours before his Thursday tee time.
In fact, his daughter's birth occurred one day after the 1999 U.S. Open, and Mickelson had vowed that he would leave the major no matter where he was positioned if it happened during the four-day window (or during a Monday playoff).
Mickelson said on Saturday he never contemplated not being there for Amanda.
"She's very supportive," said Mickelson. "She's always been, 'Dad, I know you love the Open.' She's always been very supportive. But it's one of those things that you just show up. You just need to be there. It wasn't really something that we discussed because it really wasn't much of a decision."
All of this means both Mickelson and Tiger Woods will probably be out of the U.S. Open, leaving the stage open for golf's young stars to make their mark.
