Par for the course for nearly-man Mickelson

PHIL MICKELSON has always put a brave face on things, no matter what.

So it came as no surprise on Sunday evening that, in the aftermath of his latest US Open disappointment, he should comment: "I felt like I played some of the best golf of my life. I hit some of the best shots, I putted better than I probably ever putted and I still couldn't shoot par."

Its own indication, of course, of just difficult Shinnecock Hills played on Sunday and justification, perhaps, for Jerry Kelly's astonishing outburst against the USGA for the manner in which they set up the course.