PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Masters champion Phil Mickelson has another chance to replace Tiger Woods at No. 1 in the world this week at the U.S. Open, and this might be his best chance yet.
Mickelson can reach No. 1 for the first time in his career by winning at Pebble Beach. But there are more scenarios in Mickelson’s favor.
He would go to No. 1 by finishing runner-up as long as Woods finishes out of the top four. Mickelson could finish third at the U.S. Open and go to No. 1 if Woods were to finish out of the top 18.
If Woods misses the cut, Mickelson would need no worse than a two-way tie for third.
Woods has been No. 1 for the last five years.
A capsule look at 20 notable players in the U.S. Open, to be played June 17-20 at Pebble Beach Golf Links: THE ENCORES TIGER WOODS Age: 34. Country: United States. World ranking: 1. Worldwide victories: 82. Majors: Masters (4), U.S. Open (3), British Open (3), PGA Championship (4). Birdie: His 15-shot victory at Pebble Beach in the 2000 U.S. Open is considered the greatest feat in a single major. Bogey: He was at peace with himself and with his game in the 2000 U.S. Open. He is at peace with neither at the moment. LUCAS GLOVER Age: 30. Country: United States. World ranking: 20. Worldwide victories: 2. Majors: U.S. Open (1). Birdie: At least he knows he can win a major, delivering key shots with Phil Mickelson on his heels and the entire state of New York pulling for Lefty at Bethpage last year. Bogey: The last back-to-back U.S. Open champion was Curtis Strange in 1989. Before that it was Ben Hogan in 1951. DUSTIN JOHNSON Age: 25. Country: United States. World ranking: 28. Worldwide victories: 3. Majors: None. Birdie: Has won the last two tournaments at Pebble Beach. Bogey: Has not cracked the top 40 in the two U.S. Opens he has played. SEEKING A MISSING LINK PHIL MICKELSON Age: 40 (on Wednesday of the U.S. Open). Country: United States. World ranking: 2. Worldwide victories: 40. Majors: Masters (2), PGA Championship (1). Birdie: With a record five runner-up finishes, no one has wanted a U.S. Open this badly since Sam Snead. Bogey: Five runner-up finishes means a lot of baggage to carry around the U.S. Open. PADRAIG HARRINGTON Age: 38. Country: Ireland. World ranking: 14. Worldwide victories: 21. Majors: British Open (2), PGA Championship (1). Birdie: Get him to the back nine of a major, and he’s as dangerous as anyone in golf. Bogey: Hasn’t won a recognized tournament since his last major at Oakland Hills in 2008. VIJAY SINGH Age: 47. Country: Fiji. World ranking: 61. Worldwide victories: 56. Majors: Masters (1), PGA Championship (2). Birdie: Playing in his 64th consecutive major, the longest active streak in golf. Bogey: Playing so poorly over the last two years that he needed a special exemption to get into Pebble Beach. BEST WITHOUT A MAJOR LEE WESTWOOD Age: 37. Country: England. World ranking: 3. Worldwide victories: 30. Majors: None. Birdie: Has finished no worse than third in the last three majors. Bogey: Missed putts inside 15 feet the two times he had a chance to get into a playoff at a major. STEVE STRICKER Age: 43. Country: United States. World ranking: 4. Worldwide victories: 7. Majors: None. Birdie: Has been in contention twice in the last four years at the U.S. Open on the strength of being one of golf’s best putters. Bogey: Will be playing on some of the bumpiest greens for a U.S. Open. ADAM SCOTT Age: 29. Country: Australia. World ranking: 43. Worldwide victories: 17. Majors: None. Birdie: Has won twice in the last six months as he climbs out of a slump. Bogey: Tied for 52nd at Pebble Beach in February, his first time playing the course since the 1999 U.S. Amateur. SERGIO GARCIA Age: 30. Country: Spain. World ranking: 37. Worldwide victories: 19. Majors: None. Birdie: Has been contending in majors since he was 19. Bogey: Has not been able to win a tournament in two years. HOT HANDS ERNIE ELS Age: 40. Country: South Africa. World ranking: 7. Worldwide victories: 62. Majors: U.S. Open (2), British Open (1). Birdie: Finished runner-up the last time the U.S. Open was at Pebble Beach. Bogey: Finished 15 shots behind Tiger Woods the last time U.S. Open was at Pebble Beach. JIM FURYK Age: 40. Country: United States. World ranking: 5. Worldwide victories: 15. Majors: U.S. Open (1). Birdie: Until this year, had never won multiple times on the PGA Tour before the U.S. Open. Bogey: His last time in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, he shot 84 in the third round and finished his final round before breakfast. IAN POULTER Age: 34. Country: England. World ranking: 6. Worldwide victories: 9. Majors: None. Birdie: His short game should be a good fit for any U.S. Open. Bogey: The U.S. Open is the only major in which he doesn’t have a top-10. ROBERT ALLENBY Age: 38. Country: Australia. World ranking: 13. Worldwide victories: 22. Majors: None. Birdie: For the most part, has been on top of his game striking the ball since November, held back only by his putting. Bogey: You have to putt well to win the U.S. Open. RORY McILROY Age: 21. Country: Northern Ireland. World ranking: 10. Worldwide victories: 2. Majors: None. Birdie: Winning at Quail Hollow is strong. Winning at Quail Hollow with a 62 in the final round is special. Bogey: Followed that incredible win at Quail Hollow with a missed cut. Consistency still lacking. OPEN CATEGORY ANGEL CABRERA Age: 40. Country: Argentina. World ranking: 30. Worldwide victories: 19. Majors: Masters (1), U.S. Open (1). Birdie: A streaky two-time major winner, won his U.S. Open on greens reputed to be the fastest in golf. Bogey: Pebble Beach has some of the smallest greens of a U.S. Open. GEOFF OGILVY Age: 33. Country: Australia. World ranking: 18. Worldwide victories: 8. Majors: U.S. Open (1). Birdie: His only victory this year (Kapalua) offered splendid views of the Pacific Ocean. Bogey: There were only 27 other players at Kapalua, and the fairways were 80 yards wide. STEWART CINK Age: 37. Country: United States. World ranking: 27. Worldwide victories: 6. Majors: British Open (1). Birdie: He tied for eighth in the last U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Bogey: Hasn’t finished eighth or better in stroke play all year. LONG SHOT DAVID DUVAL Age: 38. Country: United States. World ranking: 138. Worldwide victories: 14. Majors: British Open (1). Birdie: Qualified for this U.S. Open with an out-of-nowhere runner-up finish at Bethpage Black. Bogey: In final event before U.S. Open, shot 79-79 at the Memorial. SENTIMENTAL FAVORITE TOM WATSON Age: 60 Country: United States. World ranking: 125. Worldwide victories: 43. Majors: Masters (2), U.S. Open (1), British Open (5). Birdie: The only player to compete in every U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, including his victory in 1982. Bogey: Didn’t break par in any of the four rounds in 2000 U.S. Open when he was only 50.
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