These questions he doesn’t mind

Phil Mickelson knew the question was coming.

So, are you the Greatest Player To Win One Major?

“That is such a nice question to answer, so much nicer than the ones in the past,” Mickelson said Tuesday after a practice round for the U.S. Open. “I don’t know if I have an answer to you, but it just sounds a lot better.”

Mickelson is one of the favorites at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, N.Y., having removed a blight from his otherwise enviable record.

Two months ago at the Masters, Lefty shot 31 on the back nine Sunday, sank an 18-foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole and leaped (not very high) into a very special club.

He is clearly more at ease heading into his first major as a major champion, whether it’s mingling with a horde of autograph-seeking fans or no longer having to face a mandatory grilling from the media.

“I don’t feel different,” Mickelson said. “But I do feel like it’s enjoyable to answer questions, it’s enjoyable to sign autographs, it’s enjoyable to play practice rounds without having to feel like, ‘Gee, if I could just break through,’ or feel the pressure of trying to break through.”

Mickelson made his first serious run at a major the last time the Open was played at Shinnecock. In 1995, he tied for fourth, four strokes behind winner Corey Pavin, despite playing the par-5 16th at 6 over for the week.

The rough along the right side that gave him so much trouble had been shaved back this time, making it part of the fairway. For that, Mickelson said, “Thank you.”

“My success at the Masters this year stemmed from trying to salvage a half a shot to a shot a round,” he said. “It’s very easy to look back on ‘95 and salvage a shot a round there. Just look right to 16, where I threw away six shots on a par 5.”

Mickelson makes it sound as though he has no intention of waiting as long for the second major as he did for the first. He’s quite mindful of his strong record in the Open, where he was runner-up in both 1999 (to the Payne Stewart at Pinehurst) and 2002 (to Tiger Woods, down the road at Bethpage Black).

“I’m looking more big picture,” he said. “I want to try to build on the Masters victory. It was a wonderful, exciting moment for me, and I don’t want it to be the pinnacle, per se. I want it to be kind of a steppingstone to playing at that level more often in the majors and having more chances, because I enjoyed it so much that I’m hoping I’ll be able to do it some more.”

Mickelson played well after the Masters — second at New Orleans, fifth at Charlotte — then fell into a bit of a rut. He missed the cut for the only time this year at the Byron Nelson, then tied for 35th at the Colonial.

Course reminiscent of British Open

Brad Faxon found his shot nestled deep in green grass along the first fairway, typical of tee shots at the U.S. Open that miss by the smallest margins.

What happened next reminded him of another Open.

His wedge hit the front of the green and hopped high, rolled toward the back of the green and, just when it looked as if it might stop, curved to the right and gained speed until it dropped out of sight, into a deep bunker.

Faxon smiled as if he had seen this before.

“British Open,” he said.

The calendar says June. The links-style course says July.

Everything about Shinnecock Hills and the 104th U.S. Open has the feel of a British Open, from the stately clubhouse to the waves of waist-high grass framing the fairway to the strong sea breezes that blow south from the Atlantic or north from Great Peconic Bay.

About the only things missing are fish and chips and bacon rolls sold at the concession stand.

Kevin Sutherland arrived Monday morning to overcast skies, flapping flags and weather cool enough for a sweater.

“When I got out of the car, the temperature, the grass, the white tent … I thought I was at the British Open,” he said. “And that was even before I saw the course. The only difference between this and Lytham is they have ice here.”

Garcia doesn’t expect harassment

Sergio Garcia was heckled mercilessly during the last U.S. Open on Long Island.

Still, he never considered staying away from this one.

Coming off a win at the Buick Classic, Garcia is among a lengthy list of favorites when the Open begins Thursday.

Two years ago at Bethpage Black, Garcia was targeted by rowdy fans who counted his incessant waggles and made wisecracks about then-girlfriend Martina Hingis.

“I never had a doubt about coming back to New York,” he said. “I just think it was a minority of the whole crowd. I felt like a lot of people were behind me. There was just this little group that was a little bit louder than the rest, and you could hear them more. But I felt like they were still very good to me.”