ARDMORE, Pa. — Five things to look for Sunday in the final round of the U.S. Open:
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PHIL's DAY? Sure seems like it's setting up to be. Sunday is Phil Mickelson's 43rd birthday. And, yes, it's Father's Day for the golfer who made time this week to fly cross-country for his daughter's eighth-grade graduation. And it'll also be the first time Mickelson will enter the final round of a U.S. Open with the outright lead. He's been runner-up a record five times, but he's been a cool finisher this week, making birdie at 18 in the second round to move into a tie for the lead, then taking the solo spot atop the leaderboard with a birdie at 17 on Saturday.
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CAN STRICKER CLEAR A MAJOR HURDLE? He's never won one, and he's running out of time at age 46. Stricker's steady-as-she-goes game has him one stroke off the lead, but he's never finished well when he's been in the mix going into Sunday at a major championship. He's in a different frame of mind these days, having cut back his schedule to spend more time with family and more time practicing for the big events. He says that's made a difference this week. Only one bad hole Saturday — a double-bogey at No. 9 — helps validate his plan.
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HOW ABOUT ONE FOR KING AND COUNTRY? If it seems like forever since Merion hosted a U.S. Open, how about the eternity it's been since an Englishman won one. Go back to Tony Jacklin in 1970 to find the Cross of St. George flag next to the winner's name. Those with a shot Sunday include Justin Rose and Luke Donald, both two shots off the pace at 1 over. Ian Poulter is six back. Paul Casey and Lee Westwoord are seven behind, but that's good enough for a tie for 16th after three rounds.
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