Nine a damaging number for Mickelson

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Phil Mickelson's slim hopes for a maiden U.S. Open victory on a course he has played countless times since his youth were scuppered by an ugly quadruple-bogey nine in Saturday's third round.

The American left-hander struck four successive approach shots from inside 100 yards to reach the elevated green at the par-five 13th, before taking three putts to complete the hole.

Totally deflated, Mickelson offset a bogey at the par-three 16th with a birdie at the last for a five-over-par 76, ending the day 12 strokes behind pacesetting American Tiger Woods.

"I'm certainly disappointed that I'm not in the mix right now," the world number two told reporters after finishing the day on a nine-over total of 222. "That was the goal.

"So I'm going to come out tomorrow and enjoy my final round."

Mickelson, who lives at nearby Rancho Santa Fe, had high hopes of U.S. Open success on the South Course at Torrey Pines.

A three-times winner of the Buick Invitational held at the venue each year, the San Diego native had long dreamed of clinching his national Open for the first time in front of his home fans.

"This is something I wanted a lot and I just didn't play well this week," Mickelson said. "It was really one hole that hurt the round. Otherwise I was one over for the day and just played okay.

"Unfortunately it happens. It sucks, but it happens."

'A BUMMER'

With one of the most creative short games in golf, Mickelson was left dumb-struck after running up an embarrassing nine on a hole he had birdied in the opening round.

"It's obviously a bummer," said the 37-year-old, who put a driver in his bag Saturday for the first time this week. "Hitting driver just threw me off. I hadn't done it.

"It's just a great pin that will entice guys to get a little bit close, and certainly that's what I did on my first shot," he added, referring to his initial attempt with a lob wedge from around 75 yards.

"The other two were just poor. But the first shot had a good chance of being close and making birdie and it just came back down (the hill).

"I hit L wedge the first time and then I hit the 64 (degree), the second and third and fourth. But I had perfect lies, which is probably why I tried to get a little cute. I could hit a good shot with the lie I had."

(Editing by Alastair Himmer)