Mickelson leaves Pebble with optimism and disappointment (The Associated Press)

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PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) -- The 5-foot birdie putt to force a playoff at Pebble Beach spun out of the left edge of the cup, and Phil Mickelson couldn't believe it. He bent over and braced himself, the left hand on his knee and the right hand on top of the putter.

''It never crossed my mind that I wouldn't make that one,'' he said.

That brief image of shock and dismay - Mickelson on the green, the ball still visible because it's not in the cup where it's supposed to be - was reminiscent of a half-dozen or so major championships he felt certain he was going to win.

But let's not get carried away.

The Masters is eight weeks down the road.

This was the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a big…