Golf

Phil Mickelson looking to bounce back after US Open heartbreak

Left-hander paired with Bubba Watson at Greenbrier Classic

Phil Mickelson on the final hole of the US Open at Merion where he lost out to Justin Rose. Photograph: Doug Mills/New York Times.
Phil Mickelson on the final hole of the US Open at Merion where he lost out to Justin Rose. Photograph: Doug Mills/New York Times.
Thu Jul 04 2013 - 01:00

Phil Mickelson will make his first appearance since the US Open at this week's Greenbrier Classic with the world number six looking to get over his Major heartbreak ahead of this month's Open Championship.

Mickelson finished joint second behind Justin Rose in Philadelphia, extending his own unwanted record of runners-up finishes in the event to six on his 43rd birthday.

The left-hander had already finished second in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009, but after letting a one-shot lead going into the final round at Merion slip with a closing 74 said: “This one’s probably the toughest for me (to take), because at 43 and coming so close five times, it would have changed the way I look at this tournament altogether and the way I would have looked at my record.”

Mickelson is the star attraction at Old White TPC in West Virginia and has been paired with fellow left-handers Bubba Watson and defending champion Ted Potter in the opening two rounds.

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Mickelson has missed the cut in his previous two appearances in the event.