ESPN.com - Golf Online - US Open Men 2000 - Duval, Mickelson pursue first major

By Greg Robertson
ESPN Golf Online
Thursday, June 15

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- They have combined for 27 wins on the PGA Tour and are ranked among the top five players in the world, but David Duval and Phil Mickelson both have a glaring vacancy on their golfing résumés.


	David Duval says driving the ball in the fairway is vital at the U.S. Open.

Both arrive at this year's U.S. Open still searching for their first major championship. Both also arrive at Pebble Beach brimming with confidence.

"To have won zero majors to this point is disappointing, and I would not have guessed that eight years ago," said Mickelson, about to tee it up in the 32nd major of his career. And despite 16 career titles -- including three in 2000 already -- Mickelson can hear the clock ticking.

"I think it's very important that it take place fairly soon, because I've had so many opportunities really to break through and win, and for whatever reason I just haven't come through and done it," Mickelson said.

His closest call came last year at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, when he lost his lead to Payne Stewart over the final three holes as Stewart one-putted the final three greens for a one-stroke victory.

The disappointment of that loss followed by the birth of his daughter the next day took Mickelson on an emotional roller-coaster ride.

"Last year was a very emotional week for me," Mickelson recalled. "It was the biggest emotional swing that you could ever have imagined, from the lows of losing the greatest championship in the game of golf, following it with the most emotional high that I've ever experienced."

Duval has taken his own emotional ride this year as well. Winless since last April, Duval devoted much of his time to preparing for this year's Masters, a tournament he saw end with a ball in Rae's Creek on the 13th hole on Sunday.

His confidence got a big boost last week with a close call at Westchester, losing a four-hole playoff to Dennis Paulson.

"I'm not saying I will be the favorite to win, but I feel like my golf game is good," Duval said. "I feel like I have my head where it needs to be, and I'll be the first to tell you that it hasn't been where it should be ever since Augusta."

Both Mickelson and Duval not only bring recent success to Pebble Beach, but a history of success on the course. Mickelson won the 1998 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, while Duval shares the course record with a 62 and a pair of runner-up finishes.

"Coming in with some momentum after having won gives me confidence that I can play well," said Mickelson, who also looks to some strong results in recent majors as a positive.

"Over the course of the last seven or eight years, I feel as though my game has steadily improved. And my performance under major conditions has improved steadily over time," he said. "I feel each upcoming event provides a better opportunity for me to ultimately break through and win one."

Duval's near-miss at Westchester has him in a good frame of mind as well.

"I think after last week, it speaks for itself," said Duval. "I'm obviously playing well. I had a chance to win. I'm excited and looking for some good things this week."

And the victory drought?

"It seems everybody is worried about it more than I am," said Duval, who came into last year's Open as the No. 1 player in the world. "I feel like my game is getting very good again, and it's where it should be."