Disappointed Phil Mickelson gives home course rave review

By Larry Fine

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Local favorite Phil Mickelson birdied three of his last five holes at the U.S. Open on Sunday but it was too little, too late for the world number two.

Mickelson posted a 68 to finish on six-over-par 290 after struggling to a 76 on Saturday when he registered an embarrassing quadruple-bogey nine at the par-five 13th.

The San Diego native, who still lives in the area, did not dwell on his mistakes at Torrey Pines, choosing instead to praise U.S. Golf Association officials for their staging of the championship on the formidable public course.

"I am so proud to be from San Diego and to have this Open championship here at Torrey Pines," Mickelson told reporters.

"This has been a great Open championship. Obviously I would have liked to have played better, but the way the course has been presented, the way it was set up, it was the fairest, best test of golf.

"It gave the best players a chance to separate themselves. The mixture of tee boxes and movement of pin placements was strategically the best it's ever been and really rewards great shot making as well as the ability to recover."

Mickelson started with an even-par 71 in the opening round but followed with 75 and 76 on the Pacific Coast layout, the longest ever to host a major championship.

"I'm disappointed I didn't play well, but I'm not disappointed the way...San Diego has been presented."

"This has been awesome."

(Editing by Miles Evans)