Jacobsen Has Day for the Ages

PINEHURST, N.C. —  Not bad for an old guy, huh?

Peter Jacobsen, the reigning U.S. Senior Open champion, shot a one-under-par 69 on Saturday in a round that included a hole in one on the 175-yard ninth hole.

Jacobsen, 51, is four-over 214 through 54 holes and finds himself in contention at a U.S. Open for the first time since ... ?

“I don’t know, probably never,” Jacobsen quipped.

This is Jacobsen’s 16th U.S. Open appearance but his first since 1996. His best finish is a tie for seventh in 1984.

The ace on the ninth hole, with a seven-iron, was the 16th of his career.

“It was one of those shots that the minute it left the club, I knew it was a fantastic shot,” he said. “But I knew it was going to get close.”

Jacobsen has seven PGA Tour wins -- his last in 2003 at the Greater Hartford Open -- but his golf future figured to be linked with men in their Fabulous 50s.

While passing through the 15th hole, Jacobsen said a fan yelled, “Strike a blow for the old folks!”

Jacobsen appreciated the thought.

“I’m right there with him,” he said. “I’ve got my AARP card.”

Jacobsen knows he has no business being in contention here but doesn’t mind soaking it all up while he can.

“If I said I thought I could win I’d be lying,” he said. “I thought I could make the cut and play well.”

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If you’re doing the math, they’re 40% of the Big Five, but neither Ernie Els nor Phil Mickelson are adding up to much this weekend.

Els followed his 76 with a more respectable 72 in Saturday’s third round, but he had two double bogeys on the back. Tied for 41st, he looked like a beaten man.

“I probably need a good break and come back with a bit of fire,” he said, hinting he might not play again until the British Open in a month. “I need some time off. There’s just something missing.”

Mickelson came back from his disappointing 77 on Friday with a 72 in the third round. He is tied for 35th and made triple bogey on the 565-yard par-five fifth, hitting his drive out of bounds.

Mickelson said he still hasn’t given up hope, but he seemed to be sending out mixed messages. He said it’s next to impossible to make birdies at Pinehurst and then said he wants to remember that Johnny Miller shot 63 in the final round at the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.

He explained that the only way to make birdies is with 30-foot or 40-foot putts. If Mickelson can make six or seven of those, he may have a chance after all.

“I’m not going to go into tomorrow’s round feeling as though I don’t have a shot,” Mickelson said.

Els may have overextended himself. This is his fifth tournament in six weeks in a taxing year of travel that has included a tournament in Australia, two in China, one in Dubai and another in Qatar, besides nine other tournaments in the U.S.

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Michael Campbell stayed in the hunt with a 71 and is tied for fourth with Mark Hensby. Campbell, 36, has never won a PGA Tour event and has missed the cut in his last four U.S. Opens.

Campbell noted Jacobsen’s success and said: “I’ve got hope.”

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Lee Westwood began the round at even par, finished it at three over and considered himself fortunate.

Said Westwood: “I’m fine ... a bit pounded from being out there.”