Phil Mickelson, after matching his worst round ever in a major with an 8-over 78 on Saturday, had nothing to lose when he took the field early Sunday morning at Oak Hill Country Club. Perhaps that’s why Lefty, playing with Stephen Gallacher in the second group out in the finale to this week’s PGA Championship, finished his round in a speedy three hours.
Phil Mickelson speeds around Oak Hill in 3 hours, jets away from PGA Championship
Phil Mickelson, out early and in quickly at Oak Hill, finds the antidote for slow play.
Stuart Franklin
Mickelson and Stephen Gallacher finished 18 holes in just under three hours. Leaders will likely take about an hour longer.
— Mike Johnson (@EMichaelGW) August 11, 2013
Looks like Phil, who did not feature in the USGA’s new “While We’re Young” campaign, figured out the recipe for picking up the pace: play like he’s late for his flight.
Of course, that only works when there’s nothing on the line, since Mickelson and playing partners Luke Donald and Billy Horschel were the poster boys for slow play at the U.S. Open in June. The trio inched their way around the first nine holes of their third round at Merion in a stupefying two hours and 50 minutes.
Sunday was a different deal for the world’s second-ranked golfer, who began his final round 19 shots back of leader Jim Furyk.
Mickelson ended his PGA nightmare with a 2-over 72, which put him at 12-over and in 73rd place at 12-over for the week.
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