Phil Mickelson's Close Calls in the U.S. Open

2002: Bethpage Black
Lost by 3 to Tiger Woods

Breaking Point: This was always Tiger's week, but after Mickelson birdied the par-5 13th hole he closed the gap to two strokes. Alas, Mickelson, playing on his 32nd birthday, had no chance after making bogey at 16. Woods would win easily despite making bogeys on two of his last three holes in near darkness.