As defending British Open champion Phil Mickelson prepares to play this week in Kuala Lumpur, his attention is on the PGA's 2014 season. One event in particular has his focus: the U.S. Open.
Win, and Mickelson would join golf's elite as having won the Masters, PGA Championship, British Open and U.S. Open during his career.
It's a goal too significant for Mickelson to ignore at age 43. As the world's No. 3-ranked golfer and five-time major winner, a career grand slam is there for the taking.
Asked about that, Mickelson provided the following answer, according to Agence France-Presse.
"There's no hiding the fact that winning the U.S. Open would be my career goal of completing the career Grand Slam," he said.
"That's the final leg that I have and I'll be putting most of my focus into winning the U.S. Open.
Phil Mickelson (AP Photo)
"But I'm not going to skip the Masters and the importance that that event has, because every green jacket is meaningful to me."
Tiger Woods is the only active player with a career grand slam. The others: Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen.
Arnold Palmer failed to win a PGA Championship. Tom Watson also didn't win a PGA. Byron Nelson never won the British Open.
The 2014 U.S. Open will be played June 12-15 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in central North Carolina.
"As I look back on my career there are certain tournaments that change the way I view my career, and winning the British Open did that this year," he said.
"I want to give myself opportunities to play and compete in the big tournaments — I'm mainly saying the majors — and I'm putting less importance on other events.
"So my whole purpose and focus will be gearing up, participating in certain tournaments that will help me play well in those majors."
This week's PGA Tour stop is the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur. Nick Watney is the defending champion. It is the fourth event on the PGA calendar in the debut of a wraparound season that begins before the calendar year changes.
The year's other majors:
The Masters: April 10-13, Augusta National GC, Augusta, Ga.
British Open: July 10-13, Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Liverpool, England.
PGA Championship: Aug. 7-10, Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Ky.