La Jolla, CA (My Sportsbook) - Phil Mickelson's already dim U.S. Open chances faded severely on Saturday when he took a quadruple-bogey nine at the par-five 13th hole.

Mickelson, who owns one of the best short games in pro golf, was five-over par for the championship when he played his third shot at the par-five 13th hole. His pitch came up short and rolled back down to the fairway.

Then he did it again.

And again.

Finally, Mickelson's fourth chance from short of the green, and sixth stroke of the hole, sailed 20 feet past the flag. He then sent his double-bogey putt eight feet past the hole -- any farther, and it might have rolled back off the putting surface again.

Mickelson -- considered to be a co-favorite this week with three wins at the Buick Invitational, the tour's regular stop at Torrey Pines -- missed his eight-footer for triple-bogey.

He finally tapped in for the nine that moved him to nine-over par for the championship. The meltdown put Mickelson 12 shots off Stuart Appleby's lead, with the Aussie yet to tee off.