Disappointment For Phil, But There Are More Pressing Matters

If it had been any other time, I might have blasted Phil Mickelson for yet another disappointment at a U.S. Open. Not today. I was tempted to for a while, but thought better of it.

Lefty had his chances. He'd made up 6 strokes Sunday and Monday before grabbing a share of the lead with that awesome eagle at 13. Right then, I thought, "Lord, he's got it!!" But sadly, his putter failed him at 15 and 17-bogeys both.

Your first reaction is to think about a lack of mental toughness, choking or just plain bad luck. But then the realization hits that considering all he's been through, it was an amazing day anyway. We wrote here the other day about Mickelson's wife Amy, who will start breast cancer treatment July 1st. Phil's been flying back ad forth setting up medical appointments for his wife, taking care of his kids, and oh yeah, playing St. Jude's and getting ONE practice round at Bethpage last week.

Now that the tourney is over, the Mickelsons will get away before Amy begins treatment. Much was made today about Phil's record 5th U.S. Open runner up. I'm sure he's not thinking about that now. Instead, Amy has to win her fight with cancer-and if more ladies are saved because of the Mickelsons' public battle, that's worth more than a U.S. Open win any day.