Justin Rose yesterday spared a thought for Phil Mickelson after his US Open victory inflicted more misery on the four-time major winner.
Rose birdied the last two holes to beat Mickelson in the singles at last year's Ryder Cup as Europe completed the "Miracle at Medinah" by coming from 10-6 down to win and by holding his nerve over Merion's daunting closing stretch on Sunday, the Englishman ensured Mickelson would have to settle for a sixth runners-up finish in the US Open – he already held the record with five – and on his 43rd birthday for good measure.
"This is definitely a tough defeat for Phil, I guess now six times second in the US Open," said Rose, who also beat Mickelson at Valhalla in 2008. "He's such a great guy to play golf with and to have for the tour.
"I love the way he plays the game. He plays fearless golf and I feel fortunate to have been able to beat the world-class player he is. It was also on Father's Day [and] he showed the true spirit of fatherhood being at home for his daughter's graduation earlier in the week and putting a tournament as his second priority. That's admirable."
Rose was one down to Mickelson at Medinah with three holes to play, but holed a crucial par putt on the 16th to avoid going further behind and then holed a massive birdie putt at the 17th green.
Mickelson sportingly applauded both putts and Rose, who holed from 12ft for the winning birdie on the 18th, added: "I learned a lot about Phil at the Ryder Cup when we went down the stretch there together.
"On that occasion I was fortunate enough to make three of the best putts of my life to pip him and he couldn't have been more gracious.
"So I do feel for him. It was a tough day for him, too, I'm sure, dealing with his birthday, dealing with the pressure of having finished second in this tournament five times; it couldn't have been easy for him."
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