In 40th major, Mickelson without a win or an answer

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Phil Mickelson knows the drill by now.

It's the week of yet another major and the questions are as predictable as the shin-deep rough and baked greens of a U.S. Open.

The answers tend to be, too, as Mickelson tries to rationalize for the umpteenth time why the No. 2 player in the world can't seem to win one of golf's four major championships.

For the 40th time in his career, Mickelson will tee off Thursday in search of a major title that seems to be the only thing missing in a career that has made him rich and famous.

The only difference this week is that, even if he doesn't win, he'll have something to celebrate on Sunday -- his 32nd birthday and a Father's Day with a special U.S. Open significance.

If he can somehow add an Open title to that, it would be quite a day, indeed.

"It would be very special to break through and win on this Sunday that I've been trying to win on for many years," Mickelson said.

It was at the Open three years ago where Mickelson lost to Payne Stewart on a 15-foot putt on the final green at Pinehurst. He carried a beeper in his golf bag that day, ready to leave the course and fly home if his wife, Amy, went into labor.

After Stewart sank his winning putt, he took Mickelson's face in his hands and tried to ease his bitter disappointment.

"Good luck with the baby. There's nothing like being a father," Stewart said.

A day later, Amy Mickelson gave birth to the couple's first daughter, taking some of the sting away from his defeat.