Golf: Mickelson leaves Merion for daughter's graduation

Phil Mickelson, a five-time US Open runner-up, skipped practice for the 113th US Open at Merion this week to fly across the United States for his daughter’s eighth-grade graduation.

The four-time major champion, who turns 43 on Sunday, made the choice to leave suburban Philadelphia and return to his Southern California home for the Wednesday afternoon ceremony after heavy rains drenched the course on Monday.

“I was scheduled to return to San Diego after my 2:30 press conference Tuesday. I came back Monday,” Mickelson said in a statement released Tuesday.

“My daughter Amanda is speaking at her eighth grade graduation ceremony and I always planned on being here for that, but since it was raining so much Monday and we didn’t know if we would even be able to play a sloppy course, I came home last night to practice in great weather on my range and greens.

“I’ll be ready to go Thursday.”

After the graduation ceremony, Mickelson will climb onto an airplane and fly back across the nation to arrive at Merion in time to start his opening round at 7:11 Thursday morning alongside US rivals Steve Stricker and Keegan Bradley.

Mickelson’s 41 titles include the 2004, 2006 and 2010 Masters and the 2005 PGA Championship but he has never captured the US Open, settling for second in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009.

The left-hander spent two days last week at Merion preparing for the US Open before playing in the US PGA St. Jude Classic, where he finished tied for second last Sunday.

Mickelson, whose most recent victory came in February at Phoenix, arrived at Merion on Monday but accomplished little on a day when downpours forced officials to close the course twice.

In leading up to this year’s Open, Mickelson said he liked his chances at Merion and stressed that he still hungers for the title that has barely eluded his grasp so many times.

“Finishing second five times and not ever winning it would be a huge disappointment,” Mickelson said last month.

“Merion is going to be a good opportunity for me because it’s not necessary to hit drivers off a lot of holes. I’ll be hitting a lot of 3-woods, hybrids, and long irons in. The strength of my game is short, mid-irons into the green. I think that will give me a good chance.”