Forenregeln von Mamis mit Herz » ar, he could start some light contact wor

PINEHURST, N.C. -- Phil Mickelson spent five hours in the stifling heat Tuesday at Pinehurst No. 2 with a lot on his mind. He was trying to sharpen his game, figure out what it will take to finally win a U.S. Open and make enough putts with his claw grip to avoid losing to a pair of players whose combined age is younger than him. This major has a reputation as the toughest test in golf. Its every bit of that for Mickelson. "I really believe that this week is testing a players entire game," Mickelson said. "Because it forces you to make good decisions, to choose the right club off the tee, hit solid iron shots into the green and utilize your short game to save strokes. Its just a wonderful test ... the best test Ive seen to identify the best player." His definition of Pinehurst and its rugged, natural look would seem to require every ounce of concentration. And that could be his biggest challenge. On the golf course, Mickelson is trying to ignore the enormous expectations on him this week. He holds the worst kind of U.S. Open record with six runner-up finishes. He needs this major to complete the career Grand Slam. And hes a sentimental favourite at Pinehurst No. 2, where in 1999 he played the entire week knowing his wife was on the verge of delivering their first child. Payne Stewart made a 15-foot par putt on the final hole to beat him by one shot. Amanda Mickelson was born the next day. Stewart died in a plane crash four months later. "Payne and I had this moment where we talked about fatherhood, but he also talked about winning future U.S. Opens," Mickelson said. "Although I havent won one yet, Im still fighting hard, and this would be a great place to break through and do it. The flip side is that I tend to do well when its least expected. "I dont want to put the pressure on that this is the only week that Ill have a chance," he said. "I think Ill have a number of great opportunities in the future years. But this is certainly as good a chance as Ill have." Off the course, Mickelson has made headlines that threaten his clean image. He was linked two weeks ago to an insider trading investigation involving activist investor Carl Icahn and Las Vegas gambler Billy Walters over some timely trades of Clorox stock three years ago. FBI agents even came to the golf course to try to interview Mickelson. He referred them to his attorney, said he had done "absolutely nothing wrong" and that "Im not going to walk around any other way." It would seem to be a major distraction for Mickelson. Even though he hasnt won in nearly a year, and he has dropped to No. 11 in the world ranking, he is the centre of attention in the sand hills of North Carolina -- especially with Tiger Woods still out of the game while recovering from back surgery. Then again, it could be to Mickelsons advantage to be at a place such as Pinehurst. The course doesnt allow anyone to think about anything but the next shot. "We have so many players when they have a lot of stuff swirling around them that use that four or five hours on the golf course as a sanctuary," two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North said. "You can focus sometimes even better, which sound crazy, but its your place where no one can get to you. The phone cant ring. No one can ask you questions about whatever it is. And you get out there and find your little space. And sometimes that creates a situation where a guy can play exceptionally well." The investigation has not been a big topic since Mickelson said repeatedly at the Memorial that he had done nothing wrong, was co-operating and would not talk about it until it was resolved. There were no direct questions at his news conference Tuesday, only veiled references to coping with off-course distractions. Barclays, one of his biggest sponsors, declined to comment on Mickelson. KPMG, another major sponsor, said in a statement, "We have had a very strong relationship with Phil for a number of years, and we fully expect it to continue. We have great respect for him." While Mickelsons U.S. Open record is loaded with disappointment, he sees only opportunity. To have been the runner-up six times -- not to mention other U.S. Opens where he had a chance to win in the final hour -- means he must be doing something right. And he hasnt lost his sense of humour. "I feel as good about my game as I have all year," Mickelson said, pausing before he added, "Thats not staying a lot because I havent played well all year." He also said an analysis of his close calls in the U.S. Open revealed that it rained during the week in five of those second-place finishes. "So Im pulling for rain," he said. As for that other match? Mickelson carried the load as he and Rickie Fowler rallied from 3 down to tie the match, only for 20-year-old Jordan Spieth to make a 20-foot birdie on the 17th, and 21-year-old Justin Thomas to drill a tee shot on the 18th hole to set up a par for the win. Another close call. Its a U.S. Open. Mickelson should be used to that by now. Outlet Nike Shoes Uk . It led to his downfall on Tuesday. The Major League Soccer club fired Rennie after a second straight up-and-down season that saw the Whitecaps start strong before limping across the finish line. Cheap Nike Shoes For Sale Online .com) - Klay Thompson is quickly proving he is worth every penny of his recently signed four-year contract extension. http://www.discountnikeshoesuk.com/. Its great to be back for another season in Banditland, and Im looking forward to another competitive season with my teammates, said Tavares. Cheap Nike Shoes Uk ." Argos general manager Jim Barker uttered those words during an interview with TSN 1050 radio just prior to the CFLs annual free agent frenzy. Nike Shoes Cheap Uk Sale . -- Those impatient for the Stanley Cup to return to Canada will have just one team to root for in the NHL playoffs -- the Montreal Canadiens.MINNEAPOLIS - The Sacramento Kings have been in a free fall since the surprising decision to fire coach Michael Malone almost three weeks ago, and rock bottom was staring them right in the face on Thursday night.The Minnesota Timberwolves had wiped away a 13-point deficit and snatched momentum in the fourth quarter. Somehow, the Kings found a way to squeak one out and remove a little bit of the tension that has been building since Malones ouster.Rudy Gay had 21 points, six rebounds and five assists, and the Kings handed the Timberwolves their 10th straight loss with a 110-107 victory.DeMarcus Cousins had 19 points and seven rebounds after being ejected one night earlier, and the Kings shot 54 per cent while each of their starters scored in double figures. Darren Collison scored 21 points and Derrick Williams had 17, including a big 3-pointer down the stretch.We feel good about this win, we needed a win bad, but weve got work to do on both ends of the floor, said coach Tyrone Corbin, who had the interim label removed from his job status on Wednesday.Andrew Wiggins had 27 points and nine rebounds, but the Timberwolves couldnt take advantage when Cousins and Gay both fouled out in the fourth quarter. Troy Daniels 3-point attempt at the buzzer was partially blocked.Gorgui Dieng added 15 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota, and Shabazz Muhammad also scored 15. But a lacklustre start and some missed free throws late in the game kept a miserable losing streak going.You cant win a game at the beginning of a game, but you can lose a game by setting the (wrong) tone, coach Flip Saunders said. We came out with poor energy.The Kings were one of the feel-good stories of the first month of the season, with Malone instilling a new commitment to defence and getting Cousins to harness his hair-trigger temper while they put together a 9-5 start. But Cousins was sidelined with meningitis and Malone was fired on Dec. 15.Sacramento was just 2-6 in its first eight games without Malone, including a 22-point loss in Boston on Wednesday in which Cousins was ejected after tussling with Celtics rookie Marcus Smart.A loss to the loowly Timberwolves (5-26) would have been another step in its downward spiral, especially with how Sacramento was humming on offence early.ddddddddddddThe Kings hit 78 per cent of their shots in a 37-point first quarter, but led by a modest eight points thanks to six turnovers and allowing the Wolves to shoot 57 per cent themselves.Sacramento led 81-68 midway through the third quarter, but Gay fouled out with 4:21 to play and Cousins picked up his sixth less than two minutes later.Wiggins scored on a drive and a spin move and Thaddeus Young hit two free throws to tie it at 99 with four minutes to go.Then Williams, the former Timberwolves No. 2 overall pick, responded with a 3-pointer that put Sacramento up for good.Its a good win, Cousins said. The biggest thing is that its showing we can play through adversity, so I think it was a good win for us.TIP-INSKings: Gay committed a career-high eight of Sacramentos 20 turnovers. ... F Omri Casspi did not play because of a knee injury and PG Ramon Sessions missed his fifth straight game with a strained lower back. ... After starting the first 31 games of the year, F Jason Thompson did not play on Wednesday against Boston and came off the bench against Minnesota. ... Corbin coached with a walking boot on his left leg after he tore an Achilles in practice earlier in the week.Timberwolves: Saunders said C Nikola Pekovic will get an MRI on his right ankle next week. If it comes back clear, he could start some light contact work in practice. ... Minnesotas 36 points in the paint in the first half was its highest total for a half this season.WILLIAMS SHINESIn his first start of the season, Williams delivered another strong game against the team that traded him in December 2013. He disappointed in Minnesota with his inconsistency and has been up and down with the Kings, but always seems to play well against the Wolves. He hit 3 of 6 3-pointers and grabbed five boards in 30 minutes.At the end of the day, its good for our team and good for our chemistry, Williams said. We needed it.UP NEXTKings: Visit Detroit on Sunday.Timberwolves: Host Utah on Saturday. ' ' '