Exploring Phil Mickelson’s six U.S. Open runner-up finishes: A Phil Unlike Any Other

You’ve heard all about them. 1999 with Payne Stewart. 2004 on Shinnecock’s baked out greens. 2013 at little ol’ Merion. These are the locations of a Phil Mickelson runner-up finish at the U.S. Open. Side note: there are three more.

SIX! Mickelson has finished runner-up six times at our national open, toying with victory every time, only to be thwarted by Tiger Woods or his own wedge game or a ridiculous course strategy decision. You cannot discuss Mickelson’s phenomenal career without couching it with the runner-up factoid. It’s as simple as that.

It could all come to an end this week at Pebble Beach, where Mickelson has already won a tournament earlier this year. Or will it continue? Could there be a seventh runner-up? You’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, we have culled some of the most important voices in the golf world to weigh in on each of Lefty’s six close calls.

Check out these two special edition episodes of A Pod Unlike Any Other to hear from NBC Broadcaster Dan Hicks, Phil’s former coach Rick Smith, two GOLF senior writers Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger, and even Colin Montgomerie.

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