Golf: Mickelson receives special permission to play the US Open

The American Golf Association (USGA) reported Friday that American golfer Phil Mickelson obtained special permission to participate in June in the 121st edition of the US Open, the only Grand Slam tournament missing from his record.

Mickelson, 50, has finished second at the World Open six times, a record.

The 2021 match will be his 30th appearance at the tournament, which will take place from June 17-20 in Torrey Pines, California, near Mickelson’s home in San Diego.

Federation Executive Director Mike Davis said: “Phil Mickelson’s impressive record in the USA Federation and overall career accomplishments is among the most remarkable in the history of the game.” “We are very excited to welcome you to the US Open.”

Mickelson is a holder of Augusta Masters for 2004, 2006 and 2010, the 2005 PGA Championship and the 2013 British Open in his windows.

The last time he was ranked in the top ten was in the “Major” at the 2016 British Open.

At the US Open, Michelson was second in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2013.

“Winning the US Open has been a distant dream my whole life, and I’ve come close to fulfilling it many times,” said Mickelson. “You can’t win if you don’t play. I’m proud and grateful to USGA for this opportunity and look forward to playing in my hometown on the golf course I grew up on.”

The only other special waivers issued in the past decade for the Open Championship were granted to South African Retief Goosen in 2016, American Jim Furyk in 2018, and Southern African Ernie Els in 2018 and 2019.