Phil boosted by strong start
PHIL Mickelson gave his focus a thumbs up after carding fourunder-par 66 to trail first-round leader Seamus Power by one stroke at the FedEx St Jude Classic in Tennessee yesterday.
A week before trying to complete the career grand slam at the US Open, Mickelson became ragged off the tee late in his round but avoided any damage at TPC Southwind in Memphis.
“I finished the round off, even though I didn’t quite have it there at the end,” Mickelson said.
“I had a nice simple round going and then I missed the last four fairways.
“I was able to gather myself well and control my thoughts a little bit better.”
Mickelson said after a firstround 74 at last week’s Memorial that his focus had been lacking but he subsequently gathered himself to tie for 13th.
By playing in Memphis, the 47-year-old is continuing his traditional build-up for the US Open.
A six-times US Open runner-up, he has had three chances since winning the 2013 British Open to become the sixth player to complete a career grand slam, but he has not come close.
He even skipped last year’s event – won by Brooks Koepka at Erin Hills – to attend his daughter’s high school graduation.
Koepka matched Mickelson’s 66 yesterday, saved by a putter that was almost as hot as the Memphis weather.
World number two Dustin Johnson also started well with a 67 that included a chip-in birdie at the par-four 12th.
Leader Power capped off his day by hitting his approach shot to five feet for a birdie at the last.
Power, 31, is in his second season on the PGA Tour.
Tiger Woods will play the first two rounds at next week’s US Open with world number one Justin Thomas and number two Dustin Johnson, the US Golf Association said.
Woods will begin his quest for a fourth US Open title at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York.
Woods has won 14 major championships, but has not had a victory since the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines.
He also won the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach and the 2002 championship at Bethpage.
The 42-year-old has shown glimpses of his old brilliance this year after a successful spinal fusion last April, but he is still seeking his first tournament victory since 2013.
The Woods, Thomas, Johnson threesome will be the highest-profile grouping among the players who start late on Thursday and early on Friday.
On the other side of the draw, the group of Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson will tee off in the morning on Thursday.
They will be immediately preceded by a group of Patrick Reed and Zach Johnson and Charl Schwartzel. – Reuters