PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Jim “Bones” Mackay walked up behind Phil Mickelson and patted him on the shoulder.
Bones had watched his good friend play 18 holes in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and didn’t see him make a single birdie. Not one quality putt rolled in for the reigning Masters champion.
Mickelson needed a pick-me-up, some words of encouragement and practice session on the putting green following his 4-over-par 75 on Thursday morning in what could be the best conditions of the weekend.
“I didn’t make any birdies, not a one,” Mickelson said, one day after his 40th birthday. “I don’t feel that I’m far off with my ball-striking, but I have to get it in the hole.”
Mickelson had gone about three years since he played 18 holes without making a birdie.
“I usually find a way to make some birdies, but this was tough,” said Mickelson, who made his professional debut here in the 1992 U.S. Open. “But I had my opportunities. I had a number of chances. There were a number of birdie holes out there and I had my opportunities, but I just didn’t make the putt.”
Mickelson made 32 strokes with his putter. After his last, a tap-in for par on No. 9, he walked to the edge of the green and made a few practice swipes at an imaginary ball before watching Padraig Harrington roll in his final birdie of the day.
“I was terrible on the greens,” Mickelson said. “I misread a bunch and missed a bunch. I don’t feel my round should have been over par.
“I don’t mind making a bad swing or a bogey. What I can’t stand is not making a birdie.”
Following a couple of autograph requests, including one from a young girl with a pink U.S. Open bag he embossed with a black Sharpie, the five-time U.S. Open runner-up headed to the practice green by the tee box on No. 10. He practiced medium length putts from various spots with two Callaway balls and “Bones” playing retriever.
“It’s a minor tweak here and there,” he said. “The ball was jumping left and jumping right off the face. Something is off on my set-up, or stroke, or something.”
Yes, something is definitely off for Mickelson, who desperately desires a U.S. Open championship to add to his collection of three green jackets and 2005 PGA championship.
What was missing Thursday was birdies.
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