Phil Mickelson took an unusual route to Thursday’s opening round of The Players Championship; the winner of the tournament in 2007 decided, despite the changes to the TPC Sawgrass course, that he would forego any practice rounds. Then he went out in the opening round and made an eagle on the par-5 16th hole after sticking his approach shot from 235 yards and casually knocking in an eight-footer to get to 3-under and within one shot of the lead held by Rickie Fowler and three others.
Player Championship 2017: Phil Mickelson eagles par-5 16th
Lefty foregoes practice rounds at TPC Sawgrass and promptly plays himself into contention during the first round Thursday.
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
The last time Lefty eagled the 16th was in the third round of 2011, according to Golf Channel, and that year he finished T33. So, much golf left to play but despite hitting only three of six fairways in regulation through his first eight holes (he started on No. 10), Mickelson found seven of eight greens, including that monster shot at 16.
Unfortunately, after finding the green in two on the par-4 18th, Mickelson’s par putt lipped out so he made the turn at 2-under.
About his no-practice practice, Mickelson told GolfChannel.com’s Tim Rosaforte that he preferred to spend more time on the range and practice green than on the course.
Can’t argue with a guy who’s made his way around the Ponte Vedra venue 23 previous times in competition — unless, of course, he misses the cut.
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