Miller has unique perspective on charge

0 Comments | USA TODAY, June, 2009 | by Mike Bambach

Johnny Miller had the line of the day Monday, perhaps because he could appreciate Phil Mickelson's charge in the U.S. Open's final round better than anyone else.

In 1973, Miller rallied from a sixshot deficit in the final round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont to win with an 8-under-par 63.

Monday, Miller watched Mickelson move into a tie for the lead after an eagle

on the par-5 13th hole. In one stroke, NBC's lead analyst laid bare a decade of Mickelson's frustration in the national championship.

"If Mickelson pars No. 15," Miller said, "he will win the U.S. Open." The implication, of course, was that if Mickelson did not par the hole he

would lose — which is exactly what happened. Again.

Mickelson bogeyed the 15th, as well as the...