LA JOLLA, Calif. (June 10, 2008) - Phil Mickelson is not about to let Tiger Woods and his left knee completely dominate the spotlight in the U.S. Open in his hometown. Not by a rim shot.

So Mickelson threw the gauntlet down on himself today, putting the pressure (and the focus) right where he probably feels it belongs.

“I’ve come close to winning this championship four times,” Mickelson said. “I’ve had four second places. This is a tournament I know and believe I can win.

“This golf course gives me the greatest opportunity to do that.”

Mickelson wasn’t done either. By the time he’d finished speaking at Torrey Pines, he’d turned this Torrey Open into the near mythical quest of Phil. Sir Lancelot has nothing on this guy in setting the stage for a compelling tale.

“Winning this tournament would help define my career,” Mickelson said.

Wait there’s more …

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to compete in the U.S. Open on the course I grew up on in the prime of my career,” Phil said later.

Amazingly, no trumpets blared in the background to give the appropriate theatrical touch to Mickelson’s mantra.

You can be sure that the Mickelson Mission will dominate the headlines in newspapers across the country tomorrow. Of course, you can turn to this blog first to see what everyone will be writing tomorrow - and tune in to WorldGolf.com every morning to get complete stories and columns that will hopefully give you something of a different look at the Open.