Tiger Woods started the week with a dominating performance to win his PGA Tour debut at Torrey Pines. One of the game’s other top stars, Phil Mickelson, could bookend that in Phoenix with a potential record number at the Waste Management Open.
Phil Mickelson opens with 29 at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Lefty gets hot with the putter, rolling in birdies on seven of his first nine holes.
Stephen Dunn
Mickelson sputtered in his backyard last week, but he’s off to a blistering start at TPC Scottsdale on Thursday. Phil went out in 29, carding seven birdies and two pars on his opening nine. Mickelson, a product of Arizona State, is no stranger to this event but the low number certainly is surprising given his lackluster play in his first two events this year.
Mickelson was rolling in everything on his first nine, jumping out to a one-shot lead over Ryan Palmer, who was three holes ahead of him. If Phil can keep the putter hot on the back side, a 59 could be in play. He has just one par-5 ahead of him, however, as he closes his opening round on the first nine at TPC Scottsdale.
This is a course where plenty of low numbers are available, but the “59 Watch” is typically more prevalent on some of the other course on tour. But after two difficult weeks, Phil is quickly re-asserting his status on Tour and could be on his way to the sixth 59 in PGA Tour history.
For a live leaderboard from the Phoenix Open, visit Golf.com.
See More:
