SAN FRANCISCO -Phil Mickelson doesn't care that he and Tiger Woods won't talk much Thursday and Friday at the U.S. Open. He just relishes the challenge of playing face-to-face with the man who has dominated the era.
"Fabulous,"Mickelson said when he heard he and Woods would play together. First of all, I get excited to play with Tiger. I love it. He gets the best out of me.
Video: Tiger Woods news conference
Video: Phil Mickelson news conference
"Second is, the one player I'm most concerned about if I play my best golf that may have a chance to beat me is Tiger.?
Mickelson struggled playing with Woods earlier in their careers, but he's learned to focus his energy more and has had more success recently. Lefty was paired with Woods in the final round of the AT&T National Pro-Am this year at Pebble Beach and smoked the field with a 64 and the victory. Woods shot 75.
Mickelson was asked Tuesday at The Olympic Club if he remembers the feelings he had on that Sunday at Pebble Beach.
“I don’t know the feeling that I had when I left,” Mickelson said. “But I certainly had a nice crystal trophy, that was nice.”