"I still am in shock that I did that," - When Phil Mickelson choked on the 72nd hole of the 2006 US Open

Phil Mickelson has been a runner-up at the US Open an incredible six times, but he has never been able to cross the final hurdle. In 2006, he came quite close and, at one point, appeared to be cruising for the win, but an error on the 72nd hole cost him the national championship.

The 2006 US Open took place from June 15 to 18 at the Winged Foot Golf Club West Course in Mamaroneck, New York. Phil Mickelson entered the third major of the year after having won the PGA Championship and Masters Tournament in succession.

Mickelson began the week with an even-par 70 and was one shot back after Day 1. He slipped to T7 after shooting 73 in the second round but jumped to the 54-hole lead after carding a 69 in the third round. However, what happened on Day 4 is still remembered as one of the most heartbreaking moments in major history.

On Day 4, Phil Mickelson looked all set for the win, needing only a par on the 18th to secure his first-ever US Open, which would have been his third straight major win. However, he hit a wild tee shot that landed in the hospitality tent after striking the trees. He still had a chance to make par, but his second shot also hit a tree and landed just 25 yards ahead. His third shot found the greenside bunker, and the fourth landed in the rough on the far side of the green.

Mickelson chipped to make a bogey for a playoff, but the ball rolled six feet past the hole. As a result, he had to settle for a runner-up finish, tied with Jim Furyk and Colin Montgomerie, one stroke behind Geoff Ogilvy.

In the post-round interview, Phil Mickelson couldn't believe what had just happened.

"Well, I still am in shock that I did that," he said in his first reaction. "I just can't believe that I did that. I am such an idiot. I just couldn't hit a fairway all day. I just couldn't hit a fairway all day."

He said he tried to play his bread-and-butter shot, but he was shocked that he couldn't par the hole.

"It really stings," he added. "As a kid I dreamt of winning this tournament. I came out here and worked hard all four days, haven't made a bogey all week and then bogeyed the last hole. Even a bogey would have gotten me into a playoff. I just can't believe I did that."

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Phil Mickelson's record at the US Open explored

Phil Mickelson has made 33 appearances at the US Open and has made 26 cuts. He has registered 10 top-ten finishes, including six second-place finishes at the tournament.

Here's a look at Mcikelson's performance at the US Open over the years:

• 1990: T29
• 1991: T55
• 1992: CUT
• 1994: T47
• 1995: T4
• 1996: T94
• 1997: T43
• 1998: T10
• 1999: 2
• 2000: T16
• 2001: T7
• 2002: 2
• 2003: T55
• 2004: 2
• 2005: T33
• 2006: T2
• 2007: CUT
• 2008: T18
• 2009: T2
• 2010: T4
• 2011: T54
• 2012: T65
• 2013: T2
• 2014: T28
• 2015: T64
• 2016: CUT
• 2018: T48
• 2019: T52
• 2021: CUT (2020)
• 2021: T62
• 2022: CUT
• 2023: CUT
• 2024: CUT