For Phil Mickelson and the US Open, it probably won't end well

In Phil Studies, students talk about Phil's four stages: Prodigy Phil, Aw-Shucks Phil, Bad-Ass Phil – and his current stage.

Prodigy Phil was dimples and promise. This Phil was a great talent, a low novice in the 1990 and 1991 US Opens and a '90 US Amateur winner between them. The old hands at the USGA had never seen anything like him, all that California charm and left-handed, flop-shot magic. He was a favorite of the USGA.

As a professional, you're into Aw-Shucks Phil. Phil at the 1999 US Open at Pinehurst, when he finished second to Payne Stewart, with Phil and Amy in the children's watch. Phil at the 2002 US Open in Bethpage, when he finished second to Tiger, at a time when no one could beat Tiger, but Phil tried Lefty! Phil at the 2004 US Open at Shinnecock Hills, when he finished second to Retief Goosen and couldn't be forced to challenge the greens. Phil at the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot, where, after finishing in a three-way tie for second place, he appeared at the awards ceremony, while fellow silver-finishers, Jim Furyk and Colin Montgomerie, blew it. Phil at the 2009 US Open back in Bethpage, when Phil finished second to Lucas Glover but gave the thumbs up to anyone who looked his way – New York loved him – and issued this message: One day.

Then came a sixth, in 2013, at the US Open at Merion, and the emergence of Bad-Ass Phil. This Phil collided with the USGA's Mike Davis during the course layout, in the fatal fourth round. Phil turned down the USGA's invitation to accept its highest honor, the Bob Jones Award. This Phil was in the World Golf Hall of Fame but his days as an Establishment golfer were over.

It was Bad-Ass Phil who won the British Open at Muirfield, a month after Merion, and one of his messages was a USGA dig: World-class courses should never be fooled. It was BAP who took over the CBS broadcast of the 2020 PGA Championship at Harding Park for one of the most entertaining hours in golf television history, teasing Sir Nick, telling jokes, stealing the show. It was BAP that won the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah. He was 50 years old and ripped and took down Brooks Koepka on Sunday without removing his shades or gum. It was BAP who went to LIV, defiantly denying the Saudi billionaires who paid him handsomely where he went. The BAP has dismissed the USGA's attempt to slow down the golf ball and was scathing in its criticism of the USGA's decision not to grant Talor Gooch, his LIV Golf partner, a spot in the US Open field last year.

But that was then and this is now. Mickelson will turn 54 on Sunday at this year's US Open at Pinehurst and his golf, by his standards – he is tied for 43rd at Augusta – has not been easy. If he plays golf this weekend at the US Open, it would be a success. Phil himself has long said that his chances of ever winning the US Open are gone, though not for lack of trying. Birth of Acceptance Phil.

Phil is starting to wrap things up here, in the narrow confines of his national championship. He's in the field for next year, with his 2021 PGA win, and could try to qualify for the Opens in 2026 and beyond, but it's hard to see him doing that. The USGA could give Phil a posting exemption, but it's unlikely that Phil would accept it. The breakdown of the USGA-Mickelson relationship is deep. What a shame. Phil Mickelson has been one of the most important figures in USGA history. They need counseling.

Phil Mickelson has won the Masters three times, the PGA Championship twice, and the British Open once. Like Sam Snead before him, he will likely remain one US Open short of a career Grand Slam. Phil knows the score: Six seconds, no win, and that snap will follow him forever. It's confusing but also strangely beautiful. Isn't there something sad and happy about not having everything?

Michael Bamberger

Golf.com Contributor

Michael Bamberger writes for GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. Prior to that, he spent nearly 23 years as a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. After college, he worked as a newspaper reporter, first at (Martha's) Vineyard Gazette, later for The Philadelphia Inquirer. He has written a variety of books on golf and other subjects, the most recent of which is The Second Life of Tiger Woods. His magazine work has been featured in numerous Best American Sports Writing programs. He holds the US patent on the E-Club, a utility golf club. In 2016, he was awarded the Donald Ross Award by the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the organization's highest honor.