Gear of the Greats

We're sure to see plenty of memorable shots hit at Merion this month, but will any go down in golfing lore? Charlie Schroeder highlights some of the most famous moments in US Open history – and reveals the clubs that were used to make them happen

Wayward Driver: Phil Mickelson

Callaway Fusion FT-3 Driver

2006

“I am such an idiot.” That’s how Phil Mickelson summed himself up in a post-round press conference after the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot. Holding a one-shot lead heading into the 72nd hole, Mickelson only needed a par to win. Having hit just two fairways all day, you’d think Lefty would have pulled his 4-wood (he wasn’t carrying a 3-wood) and knocked it down the fairway. Nope. He opted for his Callaway Fusion FT-3 driver and cut it so hard his ball careened off a hospitality tent.

From there things got downright surreal. His next shot, a 3-iron, hit a tree and advanced only 25 yards and his third landed in a greenside bunker. He blasted out and eventually made a double bogey six. Ugh. Just writing about it gives me agita. Geoff Ogilvy won the tournament, which would have been Phil’s third consecutive major victory.

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Written by Charlie Schroeder

Photography by Getty Images

Click here to see the published article.

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