Triple-bogey blunder ruins Mickelson's par-fect dream

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2005

PINEHURST, United States (AFP) — Just when Phil Mickelson ignored his idea of parring his way to the US Open title, Pinehurst No. 2 smacked him down with a triple bogey to slam the door on his title dream.

The American left-hander suffered a triple-bogey eight at the fourth hole and went on to shoot a two-over par 72 here Saturday in the third round of the Open to stand 11 strokes behind 54-hole leader Retief Goosen on eight-over 218.

"I'm not going to go into the final round defeated," Mickelson said.

"I understand realistically that might be the case. But Johnny Miller shot 63 (in the final round to win in 1973) in the Open at Oakmont. I'm not going to go into tomorrow's round feeling I don't have a shot.

"I just feel that I can shoot a low score...