By Gene Wang
Washington Post

SAN DIEGO, June 15 -- Phil Mickelson may not have been a factor at the U.S. Open on Sunday, but the San Diego native nonetheless managed to enjoy his final round. Three birdies over his final five holes at least left him encouraged as he looked toward the season's next major.

By Jim McCabe
Boston Globe

SAN DIEGO - His job as a contender in the 108th US Open over, Phil Mickelson turned into a spokesman for his hometown Chamber of Commerce.

SAN DIEGO (June 15, 2008) – Phil Mickelson finished the week at Torrey Pines by making three birdies in the final five holes to shoot 3 under par 68 for a 6-over total.

That was better than the first three days but not good enough to rid the taste of the first three rounds, or move into the top 10 finishers of the national championship for the sixth time in 10 years.

SAN DIEGO (June 12, 2008) – Let’s see now. Two drivers at the Masters to maximize both distance and control. It worked for a win in 2006.

At Colonial there was the bombs-away approach off the tees at the storied shot-maker’s course and the five wedges to capitalize on his power. Worked for a win at the Crowne Plaza last month.

Now, hmm, the longest course in 108 playings of the U.S. Open, at sea level, starting under a cool marine layer at 8:06 a.m. Hey, why not leave out the driver and just use 3-woods and hybrids off the tees?

SAN DIEGO (June 10, 2008) – There was Payne Stewart making one-putts on five of the last seven greens at Pinehurst in 1999, including the last three. There was the stretch of 10 birdies in the last 30 holes Bethpage Black in 2002 only to finish three strokes behind Tiger Woods.

There was the rally to tie with two holes to play at Shinnecock Hills in 2004, and then a pebble behind his ball in the bunker on 17 and three putts and Retief Goosen on the victory stand. And there was the final, fatal drive at Winged Foot in 2006 and a tip of the cap to Geoff Ogilvy, the second most-surprised person on the course.