2010 U.S. Open Golf: Will Phil Mickelson Overcome Past Open Failings?

Phil Mickelson is hitting his stride even as he starts to age. 

Lefty turned 40 yesterday but is arguably playing the best golf of his career after winning the Masters in April and inching towards the No. 1 ranking in the world.

He's conquered Augusta three times and taken home a PGA Championship, good enough to give him four major championships.

But the U.S. Open has always dogged Mickelson.

Being a runner-up once at a major championship is heartbreaking enough; imagine finishing second an astonishing five times.

Mickelson insists his past failings aren't getting to him.

He says he's put the past performances, like his choke in the final round at Blackpage last year, behind him.

The thing with Mickelson, however, seems to be his overthinking during big tournaments.

The elements just seem to get to him sometimes, which leads to an errant drive or a missed putt. If Mickelson is near the top of the leaderboard at Pebble Beach, how are his past failings not going to creep into his head?

Will his previous shortcomings hold him back or will he find the ability to break through?

His ability to compete in the Open are one of the reasons to believe that he can pull it out.

Looking at the glass half-full, five second-place finishes actually don't look that bad. His performances show he knows how to compete in the tournament—something that he can build upon this weekend.

Mickelson is also confident in himself after taking home the Masters a few months ago.

This win will help calm his nerves as he begins the Open.

On top of that, Lefty has shown in the past that he is comfortable at Pebble Beach.

He's won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am three times during his career.

The course is considered one of the toughest in all the world, and Phil's mastery of it should prove beneficial as his peers struggle with it. Even with the extra bunkers and deeper tee boxes, Mickelson still has the ability to thrive at Pebble Beach.

Mickelson also doesn't have to deal with Woods being the perennial top dog on the PGA.

From his marital problems to his neck injury, Woods isn't nearly in the same form that he was a few years ago.

His decline leaves the field much more wide open for guys like Mickelson, Lee Westwood, and Steve Stricker for a chance to come home with the trophy.

With arguably his best chance to take home the U.S. Open, Phil can't let his past failings get to him.

He can't let his two bogeys at Blackpage hold him back.

He can't let disastrous final hole at Winged Foot creep into his head.

He must relieve himself of the five previous runner-ups.

As a favorite of golf analysts and the general public, Mickelson will have a huge throng of support heading into this weekend.

With all the fanfare surrounding him and the confidence he's built, let's hope Phil can pull through and get his first U.S. Open trophy.