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| |  Monday, 17 June, 2002, 02:34 GMT 03:34 UK Mickelson: My day will come Mickelson (right) could not catch Woods Phil Mickelson admitted his best was not good enough to halt Tiger Woods - but said he was confident of one day lifting that elusive Major. The world number two is yet to win a Major in 40 attempts, and finished second at Bethpage State Park's Black Course after shooting an even-par 280 for the championship. "I felt like I played very good golf for four days and thought I was able to make some things happen on the weekend that gave me the chance to win," said Mickelson.
The American played the final 30 holes in five-under-par and picked up five strokes on Woods over the final two rounds, but that was not enough. He is nothing if not consistent, however. His last 14 Majors have seen him pick up three runner-up and two third-place finishes, and eight top-10 finishes. "I feel like the last two years my game has really been improving and feel like I have been playing consistently well in the Majors," he said. "The more opportunities I give myself to win, the better my chances are of eventually winning," he said. Throughout the weekend, the New York crowds embraced Mickelson, cheering him on at nearly every hole.
In both of the final two rounds, the raucous gallery surrounding the par-three 17th chanted "Lets go Mickelson". "The fans of New York provided me with one of the most incredible experiences in my career in golf," he said. Third placed Jeff Maggert admitted he needed to hit a five-under-par round to have a chance of putting pressure on Woods. "I didn't drive the ball really well enough to give myself an opportunity to make some birdies," he said. "Tiger hung in there tough. He made a couple of early bogeys, but came back with the birdies when he needed them," Maggert said of Woods. "He never really opened the door wide enough for us to get in." Spain's Sergio Garcia, who began four back, withered playing alongside Woods, going three-over on the front nine to end his hopes.
"I gave it my best shot. I tried as hard as I could," Garcia said. "It was a little frustrating. After he three-putted one and two, I thought I had a great shot. There are still a lot more majors to come. I know I'm going to be up there." Nick Faldo, 45 next month, put many of his younger rivals to shame, grabbing a fine fifth place. "It's kind of nice at my age. I didn't think this was the course for me whenI got here, but then I thought that everybody else screaming at it could help me. "I had a good mental mindset and I felt I had nothing to lose. All in all it was a great week." Faldo received a special invitation for what was his 60th successive major - right back to his first Muirfield victory in 1987 - but he will not need one next year as the top 15 are all exempt. | |
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