Years of heartbreak haven't dimmed Phil Mickelson's affection for the US Open.

The gruelling tournament has left Mickelson baffled and beaten — four times by the narrowest of margins — but still the world number two remains steadfast in his devotion.

"Well," Mickelson ponders when asked to describe his relationship to the Open, "I love it — I just haven't gotten the love back."

This year, Mickelson will hope to change that, with a little help from a familiar friend — the Torrey Pines South course he has played since childhood.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to compete in the US Open on the course I grew up on in the prime of my career," Mickelson said on Tuesday. "I want to give myself every opportunity to play my best golf this week.

"I've minimized some of my time commitments — in fact, I've eliminated them — to give myself the best chance to prepare, get my game ready, to understand and know the golf course and play my best."

Mickelson knows his history at the US Open, and his status as a local hero, put him under extra scrutiny this week.

"I've come close to winning this championship four times. I've had four second places. This is a tournament I know and believe I can win," he said.

"I think that this golf course gives me the best opportunity available to do that.

"Winning this tournament would be something that would help define my career."

While Mickelson owns two Masters titles and a PGA Championship, the US Open has so far played a dubious role in defining his career.

Mickelson was runner-up to Payne Stewart at Pinehurst in 1999, runner-up to Tiger Woods at Bethpage in 2002, runner-up to Retief Goosen at Shinnecock Hills in 2004 and, finally, tied for second behind Geoff Ogilvy at Winged Foot in 2006, when a double-bogey at the 72nd hole cost him the championship.

Last year at Oakmont a bum wrist saw him miss the cut, the injury originally sustained in pre-tournament practice at the course as part of his determined bid to erase the memory of Winged Foot with a victory.

This time around, Mickelson has plenty of course experience to draw on. He's a three-time winner of the Buick Invitational PGA Tour event played at Torrey, and he arrives with two victories this season to his credit, most recently at the Colonial last month.

Even so, Mickelson isn't expecting a love-fest, especially with world number one Tiger Woods in the mix.

"I'm excited to play in front of my hometown and be able to have so many family and friends come out and follow and be together and enjoy the week together," he said.

"But I also know that Tiger is very well loved here. And his success (in the Buick) has been incredible, with six wins.

"I know that it's going to be very mixed," he said of the crowd support. "It should make for an interesting week."

AFP