Mickelson’s the face of 2nd place at Open

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Mickelson’s the face of 2nd place at Open

Published: 19 Jun. 2013, 21:35

ARDMORE, Pennsylvania - The U.S. Golf Association is not opposed to inflicting cruel and unusual punishment at its premier championship, so here’s something it should consider.

Award the “Phil Mickelson Medal” to the runner-up in the U.S. Open. There is precedent. The U.S. Open champion has received a gold medal ever since this brute of a tournament began in 1895, and yet the USGA tinkered with 117 years of tradition by last year changing the name to the “Jack Nicklaus Medal.”

An argument can be made that Nicklaus, a four-time champion, isn’t even the face of the U.S. Open. Bobby Jones won it four times in eight years.

But there is no disputing who has cornered the market in silver. Mickelson broke the U.S. Open record with his fifth runner-up finish in 2009 at Bethpage Black. There was a three-way tie for second that year with David Duval and Ricky Barnes, and the USGA had only one medal to present at the closing ceremony.

“I’ve got four of those,” Mickelson said. “I’m good.”

AP