Phil Mickelson says no age barrier can stop him from winning the US Open
World number five Phil Mickelson says he is fit enough to lift the Claret Jug at 111th US Open, which is about to hit the Congressional Country Club from June 16 to June 19, 2011.
The veteran, who will turn 41 on June 16th, addressed a press conference on Tuesday and discussed his plans for the US Open.
The American said, “I feel pretty good and feel like I should be able to compete for quite a while. I don’t want to put any time pressure on my ability or belief in my ability to win.”
The three-time Master winner commented on his abilities of lifting another major trophy. He said that age had nothing to do with winning, as history saw it and he was ready to take a chance on the title, which he has never won
in his 19 years of turning professional.
Mickelson has competed in twenty US Opens, but has not had a chance of walking to the winner’s podium. However, the Californian finished five times in second place and bagged a fourth place finish twice in the same event.
Looking at his glorious stats, one can say the veteran is closing up on another high finish.
Mickelson also spoke about the age taboo, according to which players above 40 don't stand as good a chance at conquering the long pars of Congressional as the young guns. He said that the taboo was false, as history saw three players
above the age of forty lifting the US Open trophy.
The three veterans who proved this myth wrong were Ted Ray, who was 43 years old in 1920 when he won, Raymond Floyd, who lifted it at 43 and Hale Irwin, who was 45 when he carried the Claret Jug home.
Mickelson said, “I turn 41 here in two days and I feel terrific, in that I’m more flexible and stronger than I have been in a long time. I’ve been able to handle or manage symptoms from the arthritis that I’ve had.”
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