Mickelson hasn’t deciphered what exactly has kept him from acing golf’s toughest test, which this time measures a record 7,643 yards.

“I just think that it’s a very penalizing test of golf, always has been,” Mickelson said. “What I love about this week is that short game will be a factor. In the past the thick primary rough has gone right up to the edge of the green. Here there’s a five-yard layer, let’s say, of rough that’s tough, but a skillful player around the greens can get the ball close. And I think that having short game be a factor is advantageous to me, gives me a better opportunity to get in contention for the weekend.

“I think this golf course tests not only your long game, certainly the longest golf course we play, but also your short game.”

And it will test his nerves, too.

Mickelson is paired with the game’s biggest fan favorite, Tiger Woods, who’s coming off knee surgery, and Australian Adam Scott, for the first two rounds.

“I think that it’s awesome,” Mickelson said. “I wish that we had it more. I haven’t in the past liked the way the PGA Tour puts us on opposite ends every week. I think it’s great that a major championship has us paired together, because usually one end of the tee times has an advantage over the other.

“I’ve certainly been on the good end a number of times and I’m not complaining, but there are times when you’re not on the good end, and for us to be on the same end I think makes it a fair championship. ... And to be paired together is even better.”

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