The Serve

Mickelson’s savage exit wound

Angel Cabrera may be a surprise leader going into the weekend at the U.S. Open, Tiger Woods may be lurking dangerously five shots off the lead, but the story of the second round was a player who won’t even be there to make up the numbers on the weekend.

Phil Mickelson had a lot of attention thrown his way this week. A lot more than usual. His choke at last year’s event at Winged Foot made him the spokesperson for the 2007 edition, despite poor form and a wrist ailment. He certainly spoke up today, shortly after a 7 over 77 that consigned him to the cut by one shot, savaging the USGA for their typical preparation of an Open course: Thick and impossible.

“It’s disappointing as a kid to dream about winning the U.S. Open and spend all this time getting ready for it, and have the course set up (to) injure you”.

The tirade didn’t end there. “You’re trying to win and hit great shots, but you’re also trying not to end your career on one shot, or at least suspend it for a while”.

“That’s a little disappointing, yeah”.

That rant aside, Cabrera maintained his steady hand, shooting a 1 over 71 to finish at Even. American Bubba Watson is one behind, with Aaron Baddeley one of four players at +2.

Tiger battled all day with the Oakmont layout, mixing two birdies with six bogeys to fire a 74 and sit at 5 over.

England’s Paul Casey shot a remarkable 66, despite a bogey on the last, the best round of the day by three strokes. “The best round of my career. I don’t want to build it up anymore than that, because the USGA might start putting pins in places we can’t get to”

Mickelson would probably be relieved to be on his way home.