Phil Mickelson is beginning to face the harsh reality that he may never win a U.S. Open.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday after his practice round at the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands, Mickelson acknowledged the last major missing from his impressive golf resume may be out of reach.
"I really don't have many more chances," Mickelson said. "Probably have to come to the realization I'm not going to win the U.S. Open, but I'm not going to stop trying. I'll keep trying. You never know."
Mickelson couldn't complain about the conditions at Pebble Beach, where he finished tied for 52nd, and is still grateful he had the chance to compete.
"It was just a wonderful setup, tournament, competition," he said. "I'm appreciative of the opportunity, even though I didn't play my best or didn't win."
While Mickelson has won the Masters, the PGA Championship and the Open Championship, he's still one major short. In fact, only five players in the sport's history — Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods — have won all four majors.
Given he celebrated his 49th birthday earlier this week, Mickelson knows he's running out of time but admitted there's still a lot he'd like to accomplish.
"So I certainly haven't played at the same level of consistency week in and week out that I did back in my 20s and 30s," he said. "When I play well, I'm able to play at a very comparable level to what I played back at the height of my career. I'm able to pick off wins like I did earlier this year at AT&T, last year at Mexico.
"Just not having as many opportunities, and so that's been the hardest thing for me. Having energy levels and recovering and being focused for each shot in four rounds. Out here the difference is so small between winning and losing. It's one shot here or there. That's something I've been working on or that's the challenge that I face."