By now we’ve all heard enough references to Phil Mickelson’s recent impersonation of Jean Van de Velde in the 1999 British Open. And, yes, Lefty blew a major championship in a big way on Sunday at the U.S. Open, when he joined the ranks of such major meltdown notables as Greg Norman (1996 Masters), Arnold Palmer (1966 U.S. Open) and Sam Snead (1939 U.S. Open).

And let’s not forget the link to Roberto de Vincenzo, who was disqualified after signing an incorrect scorecard at the 1968 Masters and explained it like this: “What a stupid I am.’’

Phil’s version: “I am such an idiot.’’ It is a quote that never will go away regardless of what Mickelson does in future majors.

So where does Mickelson go from here, besides under a rock near his home in southern California? Chances are it’s the British Open, not necessarily friendly confines considering he has only one top-10 overseas in 13 appearances.

But before we get too carried away with overanalyzing the latest mistake from “Phil the Thrill,’’ let’s walk a mile in his size-13 shoes. Hey, for 71 holes the former Arizona State star looked pretty darn good, and one hole does not define a career.

Actually, I enjoyed the theater even if it was totally absurd. Say what you want about the way the U.S. Golf Association sets up courses, but I thought the runaway bogey train got to be a bit of a snoozer – right up until the point where Phil ran into double trouble.

OK, so NBC’s Johnny Miller, who is usually right down the middle of the fairway with his edgy commentary, ripped Mickelson for pulling the driver at the 18 th, when all he needed to do was find the short grass. Or, as Miller put it: “I always thought the U.S. Open was about precision, but I guess I’m getting old.’’

Hey, Johnny, that’s just Phil, who had relied on his schizophrenic driver all week, even to the bitter end. It was too late to rethink 3-wood, a club he had removed from his bag in favor of his 4-wood.

According to a New York newspaper, Mickelson’s caddie, Jim “Bones’’ Mackay, said his boss only hits a 4-wood “about 240 yards.’’ And with the 18 th playing 458 yards uphill, that would have left a hefty yardage of 218, which wasn’t a good fit.

Well, it wasn’t Phil’s wayward drive – very reminiscent of the horrific tee shot that tanked he and Tiger Woods in last year’s Ryder Cup loss -- which ultimately did him in. It was the second shot, where he tried to take a 3-iron from 210 yards around a tree.

Yes, he should have wedged his way back into the fairway, took his lump and made either a tough par or a two-putt bogey, which would have created a Monday playoff with Geoff Ogilvy. And that lack of patience on Phil’s part, that need to get it done (ital)right here, right now,(nonital) created the mess that Mickelson now finds himself in.

If you’re a Phil fan, and most of us in the East Valley are, the subsequent ricochet off the tree cut like a knife, even if it was hari-kari. To be so close to righting every thing that’s gone wrong during his 15-year career by winning his third straight major, that would have been sweet.

Obviously, no one is as sick about the magnitude of the mistake more than Mickelson. Few boo-boos in golf have ever been replayed on TV as much as that wild tee shot off the corporate tent Sunday and the subsequent gaffe in strategy.

But chances are Mickelson will recover. And so will Colin Montgomerie and Jim Furyk, who also had great opportunities to win the national championship but failed to come through on the final hole.

If anything, Mickelson should remember the line by Monty, who was totally unglued after he also made a big, fat double at the 18th.

“You wonder sometimes why you put yourself through this,’’ Montgomerie mused. “But at my age (43), I’ve got to think positively.’’

It’s true. Like his adoring New York fans would implore him, Lefty has to “forgetta ’bout it,’’ and move forward.

There will be more mistakes by Mickelson, you can bet on it. But, chances are, more major titles, too.