Phil Mickelson: Why a US Open Win Would Redefine His Legacy

Phil Mickelson has been able to do many great things on a golf course throughout his illustrious 20-year career, including winning four Major championships and 40 PGA tournament victories. However, the one event that has been the source of more pain and heartbreak than any other is the U.S. Open. 

Five times Mickelson has been the bridesmaid at the U.S. Open, most recently in 2009, when he finished two shots behind Lucas Glover. 

Victory at the Olympic Club's Lake Course in San Francisco, California this weekend can change everything for him. 

Sure, Mickelson would still need to win the British Open in order to complete the career Grand Slam, but the U.S. Open is the best way for Lefty to exorcise all of his past career demons as it would lift a huge monkey off his back. 

Every golfer has a legacy that they are going to leave behind long after the game has passed them by. Mickelson, despite the four victories in majors, is still battling a bit of that stigma that plagued him for years in "big" events. 

Mickelson has not found the winner's circle much in the last two years, with just two PGA victories under his belt. He has had problems in his personal life, which could be part of the mental fatigue he cited after withdrawing from the Memorial two weeks ago. 

Not knowing all the details of Mickelson's life, all we can do is focus on the U.S. Open. His legacy could end up being one where we always ask what could have been instead of what was. 

The Masters gets all of the attention as the biggest Major in golf, but there is something special and unique about the U.S. Open every year that makes it feel at least close to the level of the Masters. 

A victory by Mickelson would create a brand new chapter in a long, successful book that feels like it is missing that something special. He would go from being one of the best players of his era to one who defined a generation. 

Pairing him with Tiger Woods for the first round of the U.S. Open is not likely to have the impact the course officials were hoping for, but it is also a reminder to Mickelson of everything he has been chasing for the last 15 years. 

Winning the U.S. Open would be Mickelson's defining moment. He has been so close so many times before. To get over this one hurdle would make for a strong bookend to a career that, while not close to ending, is nearing its conclusion. 

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