‘Lefty’ Puts Down Early US Open Marker

Phil Mickelson sent a warning shot to the rest of the golfing world with a three-shot victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the same venue which will host the 2019 US Open from June 13-16 (Mickelson 25/1 – 2019 US Open Outright).

Due to a hail storm during the final round, the last pair of Mickelson and Paul Casey were unable to complete the tournament over the weekend before darkness hit and were forced to come back on Monday to finish the last two holes.

The 48-year-old American returned with a commanding three-shot lead and he managed to maintain that advantage, with a par at the 17th hole followed up with a birdie at the last for a brilliant seven-under-par 65 to finish on -19.

Englishman Casey, who had led by three after the third round, also made birdie at the last as he claimed the runners-up spot on -16 and he is priced at 30/1 to win the US Open in June.

US star Scott Stallings was a further stroke back on -15 after he went round in 66, whilst Australian Jason Day and South Korean Si Woo Kim shared fourth place on -13 after threatening to challenge during points of their final round.

Mickelson, who sits alongside Mark O’Meara with five Pebble Beach wins, will be hoping he can replicate the performance when the US Open heads to the same venue this summer.

‘Lefty’ only needs the US Open title to complete the grand slam of majors and he has come agonisingly close on numerous occasions, having finished second or tied-second in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2013.

Dustin Johnson currently leads the US Open betting at 10/1 whilst former world number one Tiger Woods, who won the Tour Championship last year, is following closely behind at 11/1.

Englishman Justin Rose is a 12/1 chance whilst Bryson DeChambeau, defending champion Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth are all 14/1.

Odds subject to change