Usual Major questions for Phil Mickelson

You know the "major question" is coming. You know it has to be asked.

Yet inside you start to squirm. It just feels so awkward.

What is Phil Mickelson going to say about going 0-for-43 in the biggies? He has been the Best Player Never To Win A Major for so long, when he finally does win one they will retire the dubious title.

The question has been asked so many times, reporters try to think of different ways to pitch it. He heard this during a press conference Tuesday at Olympia Fields Country Club:

"Without naming names, is there anybody who's won a major in recent years where you've said, `Wait a minute, I know I'm better than him?'."

If Mickelson were honest, he would have said, "Yeah, all the winners besides Tiger Woods."

Mickelson, though, is too smart to play that game.

"I wouldn't touch that question with a 10-foot pole," Mickelson said.

Finally, a more direct question comes his way: How bad is the pressure to win a major, and how does he deal with it?

Mickelson gives a generic answer about trying to limit his tournament preparation at the host course. He will play elsewhere Wednesday to prepare his game.

When pressed to reveal his innermost feelings, Mickelson said, "I don't really worry about it."

Does anybody believe him?

Mickelson is one of the top players of his generation. He has won 21 times on the PGA Tour, joining an exclusive group of players. Yet he lacks the ultimate validation of his greatness.

"He has to get a major to be considered a great player," said former CBS analyst Ken Venturi, winner of the 1964 U.S. Open.

The comment has to sting. Others don't put it as gently as Venturi, who is supportive of Mickelson.

Mickelson has been labeled at various times as a loser and a choker. He is golf's version of the four-time Super Bowl failure Buffalo Bills.

In sports, is it better never to come close than to come close repeatedly and never make it over the top?

"It's got to wear on him," said two-time U.S. Open winner Curtis Strange. "It's got to make you think about it. How can you not?"

If Mickelson isn't revealing how he feels about not winning a major, he is answering questions about his approach to the majors. Is it preventing him from winning?

Mickelson is the Indiana Jones of golf. He is constantly taking chances, living on the edge. If there is a 2-foot opening through the trees, he decides, "I've got that shot."

The approach leads to birdies, but it can also lead to double bogeys. His critics contend he should occasionally play it safe. Hit 3-wood instead of driver.

"You have to know when to put the driver in the bag," Strange said. "It's a tough thing to do. I know he says he has more fun playing [aggressively]. But once he has won a Masters or a U.S. Open, he'll think that's more fun than hitting a driver three miles every time."

Sounds like good advice. Mickelson will throttle down at Olympia Fields, right?

Forget it. Mickelson says he is going to gear up even harder this week. Get this: He says he has played too conservatively in the last few Opens.

"I tried to be patient the first couple of rounds, not do anything too extravagant," Mickelson said. "I think I may have to take a few more chances than I have in past Opens in an effort to close the gap, to get below par heading into Sunday."

In other words, Mickelson is going to play his own game, and the critics can say what they want.

While the major question nags at him, he remains confident. He finished second to Woods in the Open last year, has a second in the 2001 PGA and has three straight third-place finishes in the Masters.

Bob Rotella, a sports psychologist who works with many top players, believes Mickelson is able to see the big picture.

"Players are able to differentiate between winning and playing great," Rotella said. "Phil proved at Pinehurst in 1999 [when he finished second to Payne Stewart] that he has what it takes to win. He knows he is capable of winning. He's going to get his share if he stays patient."

Mickelson obviously has plenty of patience. Now he needs a major title, preferably this week, if for no other reason than to retire the question once and for all.