Phil Mickelson matched the course record at TPC Scottsdale in his opening round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, signing for a bogey-free, 11-under-par 29-31=60.
The Hall of Famer turned in a performance that was nearly one for the ages. After sinking seven birdies on the back side, including respective conversions of 16'8" and 15'10" at the 16th and 18th holes, he picked off another from 22 feet at 1. A par save from 11'1" at 2 kept his card clean but it also kept alive his run at a sub-60. Three more birdies ensued to reach 11-under, the longest of which from 13'10" at 4. Then, after he left his birdie try from 17'9" short at 8, his last chance at a 59 measured 25'5" at the par-4 ninth. Mickelson gave it a great ride, but the ball curled around the right edge and did a 180, stopping in the front-left area of the hole. A small portion of the ball actually dropped below the level of the green, but it had too much velocity. Along with the clubhouse lead, his consolation prize is that he's the fourth to shoot 60 on the track. It's a list that include himself in 2005. It's also the 27th 60 in PGA TOUR history. Jan. 31 - 3:47 pm et |
