You never know with Phil Mickelson, but his Sunday 65 to finish T-3 at the FedEx St Jude Classic indicates he is more ready for the US Open than he was his last two Majors, both of which he just happened to finish second. Turning 45 today, Mickelson has become a master of marshalling his emotional and physical reserves for the big moment, and there couldn’t be a bigger one for him than this chance – at spacious Chambers Bay – to finally win his national championship and complete the career Grand Slam. (His six runner-ups at the US Open leave him tied with Jack Nicklaus’ six at the British for the most in any one Major.) Before Sunday, Mickelson was on a streak of 16 straight US PGA Tour events without a top-10, the longest of his career. But he came out fast at TPC Southwind, hitting solid irons and making lengthy putts, including a 50-footer for birdie on the 14th hole and a closing 25-footer for birdie on the last. The closest Mickelson has come to winning since his victory at the 2013 British Open have been seconds at Valhalla and Augusta. Of course, what he doesn’t need is another silver medal from the USGA’s signature event. — Jaime Diaz
EXPERT TIPS
BRAD CLIFTON
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
WINNER: Phil Mickelson
TOP AUSSIE: Jason Day
ROUGHIE: Brooks Koepka
WILL TIGER MAKE THE CUT: Yes
EVIN PRIEST
DEPUTY EDITOR
WINNER: Jordan Spieth
TOP AUSSIE: Marc Leishman
ROUGHIE: Brandt Snedeker
WILL TIGER MAKE THE CUT: No
ANDREW DADDO
CELEBRITY COLUMNIST
WINNER: Rory McIlroy
TOP AUSSIE: John Senden
ROUGHIE: Tiger Woods
WILL TIGER MAKE THE CUT: Yes, just!
ROHAN CLARKE
SENIOR WRITER
WINNER: Justin Rose
TOP AUSSIE: Marc Leishman
ROUGHIE: Ian Poulter
WILL TIGER MAKE THE CUT: Yes
TONY WEBECK
STAFF WRITER
WINNER: Bubba Watson
TOP AUSSIE: Marc Leishman
ROUGHIE: Danny Willett
WILL TIGER MAKE THE CUT: No
GEOFF ARMSTRONG
STAFF WRITER
WINNER: Henrik Stenson
TOP AUSSIE: Adam Scott
ROUGHIE: Brandt Snedeker
WILL TIGER MAKE THE CUT: No
DARIUS OLIVER
STAFF WRITER
WINNER: Phil Mickelson
TOP AUSSIE: Adam Scott
ROUGHIE: Rickie Fowler
WILL TIGER MAKE THE CUT: Yes
