xtended his season record for times reaching base on catchers interference

TROON, Scotland -- Phil being Phil, he sometimes cant resist being, well ... Phil.You can argue that Phil Mickelson would not be such a beloved figure in the game were it not for his aggressive style and go-for-broke nature. He once famously declared that hed rather lose going for it than win playing carefully.That was a long time ago, before Mickelson won his first major at the 2004 Masters and before he wrapped his arms, legs and head around the idea that he had to embrace a strategy for links golf rather than fight it.For most of the past decade, that is exactly what he has done at golfs oldest championship, learning to plot his away around the storied old courses that host The Open, using more brains than brawn.But for some reason on Saturday at Royal Troon, Phil couldnt help himself. It wasnt some sort of outlandish departure from his strategy during the first two rounds, but it was enough to cost him a couple of shots and see him fall behind Henrik Stenson heading into the final round.When I tried to play a little bit more aggressive on the downwind holes, I started to get a little jumpy with my swing, Mickelson said after a 1-under-par 70 put him a stroke back of Stenson but five clear of Bill Haas. I started to get a little bit anxious. Thats now how I play my best. Sometimes its better to not be aggressive.Those are seemingly shocking words from Mickelson, but not as it relates to golf at The Open.It was here in 2004 that it finally hit him, that Phil being Phil wasnt going to work on these courses, where hard, bumpy ground is not conducive to aggressive shots, that hitting mile-high moon shots often doesnt work against swirling winds.This was the first course that I really played effectively links golf, Mickelson said. Thats where it really kind of turned for me. This is where it kind of happened. This is where I stopped trying to overpower the golf course, where I kind of accepted playing it as its designed and not trying to find a new, better way to beat the course other than just straightforward golf. Thats probably why I love it so much.And yet Mickelson for some reason reverted, at least a little bit, on Saturday.During the opening-round 63, Mickelson hit 16 greens in regulation. It was nearly flawless, with well-placed shots off the tee, many with irons.Fridays 69 wasnt as strong, but the weather was a big factor. Mickelson hit 13 greens and made a couple of bogeys but still shot under par and held a one-shot advantage over Stenson heading into Saturday.Much of what Mickelson accomplished in getting to that point was due to factors other than just strategy. He worked to take spin off his shots, especially around the greens. He practiced keeping the ball lower to avoid the wind. The great players learn to adjust their ball flight, and after being stubborn about it, Mickelson came to terms with the idea.The results first showed here 12 years ago, when he missed the Todd Hamilton-Ernie Els playoff by a stroke. He finished second to Darren Clarke in 2011 at Royal St. Georges. Two years later, a week after winning the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart, he went to Muirfield and shot a final-round 66 to blow past the field -- including Stenson -- to hoist the Claret Jug.Among his 42 PGA Tour victories and five major championships, that victory is the most surprising -- and perhaps the most special.But Mickelson wasnt in the sentimental mood on Saturday evening. It was a cold, blustery day in Troon, and it wasnt getting any warmer as he chatted with the media before heading to the practice range.Things werent quite right with his swing, and he was determined to get it fixed with his instructor, Andrew Getson.I was off today; I didnt have my best stuff, he said. My rhythm was a little quick from the top as we started downwind. I was a little bit jumpy.Some of that might be attributed to the position he found himself. Playing alongside Stenson, a long hitter and excellent ball striker, can do that too. But he didnt help himself with some of his course management, conceding that he got away from his game plan on the front-side par-5s, unable to make the birdies he coveted.It potentially cost me a couple of shots, Mickelson said. It was a day I tried to force it a little bit.Mickelson did a good job of staying in the game, recovering from some of his mishaps and making just two bogeys. When he birdied the par-5 16th, he had a one-shot lead on Stenson, but then he gave it back with a poor approach that he said was the result of an awful swing. Stenson birdied the hole, which is the difference for now.Nonetheless, a sixth major is within his grasp, and its one that would tie him with Nick Faldo and Lee Trevino -- only 11 players have won more in history -- and also make Mickelson the fourth-oldest major champion at age 46. Stenson is a formidable foe and showed it down the stretch Saturday, playing the last 10 holes in some difficult conditions in even par.But Stenson, 40, has never won a major, and there is inherent pressure in that too. He had never before held the 54-hole lead in a major. And there is also that matter of becoming Swedens first male major champion.For Mickelson, it seems more about overcoming himself, about finding the form he had the first two days here and getting back to the mantra that carried him to victory at Muirfield three years ago -- his last win.I know its not far off, because I was hitting it so good, he said. Ive been hitting it so good for so long that I just think one day is an anomaly and hopefully Ill get dialed back in tomorrow.Now thats Phil being Phil.ultra boost schweiz . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. günstig adidas schweiz .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. http://www.ultraboostsale.ch/ . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. ultra boost schuhe online .ca. Kerry, Just watched the shootout in the Coyotes/Leafs game and I have to ask, why was the James van Riemsdyk goal allowed to count? All of the video replays we were shown on TV were inconclusive about whether the puck had entirely crossed the line or not. ultra boost schuhe sale . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The New York Yankees second consecutive loss to Tampa Bay could push them to deal more veterans as the trade deadline pushes.Drew Smyly struck out Alex Rodriguez three times en route to stopping an 11-start winless streak, and the Rays sent the Yankees to their third straight loss, 6-3 Saturday night.New York had won eight of 10 to reach a season-best four games over .500 before the skid but dropped to 52-51. Having already traded closer Aroldis Chapman, the Yankees could deal right fielder Carlos Beltran, pitcher Ivan Nova, reliever Andrew Miller or others before Mondays deadline to make trades without waivers.Theyre frustrating losses, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. Weve been inconsistent all season long.San Francisco and the Chicago White Sox both had two scouts at the game. Others teams scouting the series include Baltimore, the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Texas, Toronto and Washington.I cant worry about that, Girardi said.Not even a night off could keep Yankees catcher Brian McCann out of the spotlight. He was asked about the possibility Atlanta would try to reacquire the former Braves star.Im focusing on winning games here, said McCann, who added that he has not been approached about waiving his no-trade provision.Rodriguez, out of the starting lineup the previous six games, struck out in all four of his at-bats to tie his personal high. The 41-year-old designated hitter has two hits in his last 26 at-bats, dropping his season average to .206.I didnt do myself any favors tonight, thats for sure, Rodriguez said. I swung at balls and took strikes. Its been a frustrating season all the way around.Girardi wouldnt sayy if Rodriguez will be his DH on Sunday against rookie left-hander Blake Snell.ddddddddddddhe second half has been a struggle, Girardi said of Rodriguez. And it was a struggle for him tonight.Smyly (3-11) gave up two runs and four hits in six innings, and Alex Colome worked the ninth to get his 24th save. Tampa Bay is 7-5 since losing 24 of 27.Tonight was the best hes felt with his curveball in quite some time, Rays manager Kevin Cash said.Brad Miller hit a solo homer in the first, and Curt Casali had a two-run drive during the third. Tim Beckham made it 6-2 on a two-run shot in the seventh off Anthony Swarzak.Brett Gardner and Chase Headley homered for the Yankees. Nathan Eovaldi (9-7) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings.TRAINERS ROOMYankees: RHP Bryan Mitchell could start a minor league rehab assignment in the next week, four months after surgery to repair a toe tear on his left foot. Mitchell had a rain-shortened 21-pitch simulated game and said he feels great and absolutely expects to pitch in the majors this season. ... LHP Jacob Lindgren, out since late April with a left elbow injury, also pitched a simulated game.Rays: RHP Chase Whitley (Tommy John surgery) made his third rehab start, striking out five over three hitless innings for Double-A Montgomery.ELLSBURYS GROWING RECORDNew Yorks Jacoby Ellsbury extended his season record for times reaching base on catchers interference to 10 when it happened again in the eighth inningUP NEXTYankees RHP Michael Pineda (5-9) will face Snell (2-4. Pineda has won his last two starts. ' ' '