Phil Mickelson is in a race against time on Thursday.
The five-time Major winner has finished in second place on six occasions at the US Open. It's the only major he has yet to win.
Despite that, the golfer will more than likely miss this year's event to attend his daughter's High School graduation. Taking place on the west coast, Mickelson will be in a race to make the 2,000 mile journey to Wisconsin.
"I need a minimum four-hour delay most likely", Mickelson told CBS Sports, after his ninth-place finish at the FedEx St. Jude Classic on Sunday. "That's the way I've mapped it out. I can get in the air right around my tee-time, or just prior."
US Open officials have helped the 46-year-old, by giving him a late tee-time on Thursday afternoon. He is in the third-last group of the day, alongside Steve Stricker and Stewart Cink.
"It's a three hour and twenty flight. By the time I get to the course I need a four-hour delay", Mickelson continued.
"[Saturday] night, there was a 60% chance of thunderstorms on Thursday. Right now there is 20% so who knows?"
"I am going to keep my game sharp in the next couple of days. I'm going to go home, and when I have a few free hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I'll make sure I practice and keep sharp."
"It's not looking good, and it's totally fine", Mickelson admitted about his hopes of playing in the event. "I'm not going to be prepared for Erin Hills. I haven't gone there. I don't know the golf course. I'd be showing up on the first tee for the first time."
"I'd be relying on [caddy Jim 'Bones' Mackay] to steer me around every shot. It's a golf course that's so quirky, it would probably be difficult to do well at."
"Conversely my mindset is; 'You can't win if you don't play'. You have got to give yourself an opportunity. Sometimes not seeing or knowing where the trouble is, and how bad it is."
"Seeing only where you want the ball to go can sometimes be good in a tournament as tough as the US Open."
Thursday's focus will be on the weather and a potential flight from California to Wisconsin. It would be quite the story if Mickelson made it and performed well.
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