Masters victory still giving Mickelson a boost

It’s time to put away the green jacket.

Phil Mickelson sure had a blast while it lasted. He got to chat on the phone with President Bush and Don King. Ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Yuk it up with Jay Leno and David Letterman.

“I was very flattered that they called, which is why I did all of those things,” Mickelson said. “You just don’t have that opportunity in life that often.”

Just about everywhere he went, Lefty showed up wearing green. On someone else, that sense of fashion might have come off as arrogant, a bit over the top. On Mickelson, it was a perfect fit.

He was born to play this role.

Masters champion.

“I’ll be able to be part of that event for the rest of my life,” Mickelson said. “That gave me a really special feeling.”

Now, it’s back to work. The green jacket is on a hanger back home in San Diego. The first major is out of the way, but the career checklist still has plenty of holes.

With a clear sense of history, Mickelson has always envisioned himself going down as one of golf’s greatest players. He doesn’t want to be one major and done. He wants to leave a legacy that people will remember, that won’t seem out of place when people are mentioning names such as Hogan and Palmer, Nicklaus and Woods.

Mickelson can get started at Shinnecock Hills, the wind-swept links that clings to the eastern edge of Long Island. He certainly goes into the U.S. Open with a different feeling than any of his other 47 majors.

“I think it’s possible that after getting over the hurdle of winning the first, the second and third may be easier,” Mickelson said. “I have a lot of confidence now, a lot of belief that I can break through and win the big tournaments.”

The first one took far longer than anyone expected. Mickelson won 22 times on the PGA Tour before finally winning on one of the four biggest weekends. His quest was especially agonizing as he kept coming up just short in the majors.

Twice, he was the U.S. Open runner-up. There was a memorable duel at Pinehurst in 1999, Mickelson losing by a stroke when Payne Stewart sank a 15-foot putt on the 72nd hole. Two years ago, when the tournament was held right down the road at Bethpage Black, Lefty was cheered on by raucous New York crowds but couldn’t chase down Tiger Woods.

Even with his Masters victory, he is not resting on his laurels, having recently spent three days playing Shinnecock Hills. He’s got good memories of the place, having made his first serious run at a major title when the Open was last held at the venerable course nine years ago.

Mickelson finished four shots behind ‘95 winner Corey Pavin, in a tie for fourth, despite playing the par-5 16th at 6 over for the week.

No matter the state of his game, at least Mickelson won’t have to face that same ol’ question when he gets to Shinnecock Hills: When are you going to win that first major?

That one’s been answered.

He’s got the green jacket to prove it.