HP Byron Nelson 2012: Phil Mickelson's Final Round Bodes Well for US Open Hopes

Phil Mickelson is poised to finally break through at the U.S. Open this June thanks to some strong play in 2012, specifically the final round at the HP Byron Nelson tournament. 

Mickelson made a late charge for the lead at the 2012 HP Byron Nelson Championship at TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas this weekend. 

Mickelson shot four under through the first 18 holes in the final round on Sunday, putting himself into contention right behind leaders Jason Dufner and J.J. Henry despite starting Sunday 21st on the leaderboard.

Mickelson birdied four consecutive holes, shooting under par on holes Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8.

The four-time major winner had previously flirted with par all weekend long before finally finding his groove in the tournament's final round. Mickelson was two under coming into the day. 

The strong play from Lefty is a great sign as the PGA Tour season's next major championship approaches this June. The U.S. Open Championship is scheduled to begin June 14, and the title has eluded Mickelson for years now.

Lefty has finished second or tied for second at the event five times in his career but has never won. He came close in 2009 in New York, but Lucas Glover walked away with the title instead.

Mickelson has played solid golf through the season's first few months and looks poised to capture his first U.S. Open title, especially after nearly overcoming a triple bogey on Easter Sunday to win what would have been his fourth Masters last April. 

Lefty finished tied for 54th at last year's Father's Day weekend tournament and should be motivated to do much better this time around. The confidence gained from a superb final round of play in Texas will certainly translate to this year's U.S. Open course in San Francisco, California. 

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