That was the outcome of the 2004 championship at Shinnecock Hills, Goosen winning by two after US Masters champion Mickelson, one ahead when he birdied the 16th, double- bogeyed the short 17th.
But the week will be remembered not just for that stirring finish.
A controversial and much criticised course set-up witnessed an amazing 28 of the 66 players on the final day fail to break 80.
Miserable
Ernie Els, joint second after 54 holes, was among them and so was Sergio Garcia, who despite his 80 remained top European in joint 19th place. Tiger Woods shot 76 and actually moved up from 19th to 17th.
Those who missed the cut were at least spared a weekend experience which Kevin Stadler described as "the longest, most miserable days in my life".
At the seventh green, Stadler had a two-foot putt which rolled 60 feet away.
Officials then stopped play and watered that green and others. But it did not stop the complaints.
Goosen, though, will look back on the week with fond memories, of course after concluding rounds of 69 and 71 to finish with a four- under-par total of 276.
He said: "I am not somebody who jumps up and down, but inside I was so happy. It is a great feeling to have this trophy again."
Yesterday was the first time since 1963 at Brookline in Boston that not a single player broke par and while the USGA blamed a change in wind direction it seemed to many of the players that they simply got things wrong.
Els' failure to win means Woods remains world number one, but it might not be for much longer.
He finished 10 over and then said: "This is not the way it is supposed to be. They just lost it. The first two days were tough, but fair. Don't make it like it's unfair."
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