Mickelson in need of a rest
June 01, 2012 13:34:31 UK
Phil Mickelson will spend the next fortnight desperately trying to recharge his batteries in time for the US Open after withdrawing from this week's Memorial Tournament citing "fatigue".
Mickelson pulled out of the tournament on Thursday after firing a seven-over-par 77 in the first round - his highest score in the 43 rounds he has played in the event.
I have to look at what's best for me to play in the US Open, and I'm going to take the next few days to kind of rest up.
Phil Mickelson
The popular left-hander has played tournaments in four of the last five weeks, while he spent the other week in France and Italy with his wife Amy to celebrate her 40th birthday, and knows he has to take some time off if he is to be ready for the start of the season's second Major on 14th June. He is 19.00 to take the title this year, while reigning champion Rory McIlroy is at 12.00 and world number one Luke Donald can be backed at 15.00.
Mickelson told the PGA Tour's website: "I think I probably just went a little bit overboard last month, and it has nothing to do with playing poorly and so forth, but I do think I need to get rested to play my best for the Open.
"I have to look at what's best for me to play in the US Open, and I'm going to take the next few days to kind of rest up.
"Certainly I'm disappointed with how I played today, but I think ... I've got to be more big-picture oriented and think about the Open and what's best to get my best golf out there, and I need the next few days to rest up a bit."
No-one has come closer to winning the US Open in recent years and Mickelson has finished second in the event no fewer than five times - without managing to claim victory.
The three-time Major winner has yet to visit The Olympic Club in San Francisco to see how the course is set up and admitted he could head there for some advance practice as well as fine-tuning his preparations with coach Butch Harmon.
He added: "I haven't had a chance to get out there yet. I know it's a course that's very strategic that you have a lot of options off the tee and you have to have a solid game plan heading in, and I haven't had as much time there as I'd like."
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