San Diego (United States) (AFP)

American Bryson DeChambeau will try to retain his title at the US Open golf course, starting Thursday in La Jolla (California), where veteran Phil Mickelson, just crowned at the USPGA, will try to win the only Major missing from his record.

From coast to coast, will Mickelson meet the same glorious fate?

Became the oldest winner of a Grand Slam tournament a month ago, at 50, in Kiawah Island (South Carolina) on the shores of the Atlantic, "Lefty" (the left-hander) has a bigger challenge who still awaits him along the shores of the Pacific, on the course of Torrey Pines.

The US Open hits him with a curse, since in 29 participations, he has finished second on six occasions.

The last time in 2013. So if he wants to complete a Grand Slam, as only Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen have done before him, he will have to put out his best golf course and especially hold the distance.

Mickelson, who will turn 51 on Wednesday, may have some hopes of achieving the feat, since he will play "at home".

He has won three times at Torey Pines, as part of the Farmers Insurance Open, although the last one dates back to 2001, just before the renovation of the course.

- Woods inspires DeChambeau -

"I am convinced that if I stay mentally sharp I can perform well there. I will give my best. I feel like I'm playing well and I know this could very well be my last real good opportunity to win a US Open. "said Mickelson, who spent two weeks on site to prepare.

# photo1

Big absent from this 121st edition, almost four months after his serious car accident which broke his right leg, Tiger Woods won his third US Open at La Jolla in 2008, despite a stress fracture in his left tibia.

In any case, the shadow of the "Tiger" inspires DeChambeau.

"Despite the pain, the agony, he struggled and struggled to get to the top. It's something unfathomable and it inspired me to work even harder," he said.

The world No. 5 won in September 2020 at Winged Foot, near New York, by imposing his power on drives, which allowed him to get closer to the greens where his putts had worked wonders.

This strategy could have its limits at Torrey Pines where the roughs (tall grass) can be much more penalizing.

"We will see if it is possible to hit hard. If it is not possible, then I will have to change my dynamics and my strategy," he said.

- Rahm confident -

DeChambeau will have for main competitors the world No.1 Dustin Johnson, certainly not in the form of his life, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and his "best enemy" of the greens, Brooks Koepka.

Beyond their notorious enmity, fueled on social networks, the latter has proven that he knows how to shine at the US Open, having triumphed there in 2017 and 2018, narrowly missing the treble in 2019 (2nd).

Another competitor not to be underestimated, the American Patrick Reed (N.9), winner of the Masters 2018, and who is the last to win at La Jolla in January.

"I obviously keep good vibes," he agreed.

There remains the case of Jon Rahm.

The Spaniard, world No.3, will be present after his positive test for Covid-19 ten days ago.

But in what state of mind?

Huge frustration had prevailed on hearing this news during the Memorial, from which he had to withdraw from the table, when he was well in the lead with one last lap to go.

# photo2

“When you don't hit a ball for about a week, it's hard to attack a Grand Slam right behind. But I remain confident in my ability to get back into shape quickly, I remembered all the good shots that I was able to do "at the Memorial, he assured.

On the French side, in addition to Victor Perez, qualified thanks to his 34th place in the world rankings, Paul Barjon, offered himself an accessit at the end of a qualifying tournament played in Dallas.

© 2021 AFP