Mickelson can’t match Open magic

Phil Mickelson won the PGA Championship the last time it was at Baltusrol in 2005. He played some of his best golf ever only 11 days ago at the British Open. And on Thursday, the New York area crowd had his back even before he teed off.

The momentum he had to start the PGA Championship was there. Until it wasn’t. Stepping onto the 10th tee for his opening shot on Thursday, the cheers and shouts for Mickelson went on for so long that the two other golfers with him — defending champion Jason Day and two-time PGA Champion Rory McIlroy — didn’t seem to exist.

But the cheers didn’t last long.

Mickelson’s first shot of the day sailed well left into the gallery. He hit into a bunker, blasted out to about 5 feet and missed the putt. It was the first of four bogeys in his opening 11 holes. He wasn’t driving very well. He wasn’t putting much better. Despite the frustrating start, the 46-year-old rallied for a 1-over 71 with three birdies over his last seven holes.

“It’s not the start I wanted,” Mickelson said. “It’s not indicative of how I’m playing. But I’m back to where tomorrow, if I play the way I’ve been playing, I should be OK.”

PGA of America looking at schedule

PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua said this week that moving the PGA Championship to another time of year remains a consideration.

The PGA was the only major forced to alter its dates this year because of the Olympics, and it will face that dilemma every four years. The situation is further complicated by the biennial Ryder Cup.

“We’re going to have to jostle the schedule a little bit,” Bevacqua said. “We have made no decisions. But, yes, it’s absolutely on our radar screen.”

Bevacqua also said that although the PGA of America strongly opposes North Carolina’s controversial antiLBGT law, it still plans to hold next year’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte.

North Carolina passed in March a bill known as HB2 that requires transgender individuals to use the bathroom of their birth sex, rather than the gender with which they identify.

The act also prohibits state municipalities from enacting anti-discrimination policies in the workplace.

“(Quail Hollow is) a private facility,” Bevacqua said. “So we intend to do everything we can within our power to make it a welcoming environment and an inclusive environment.”

Hobbled Koepka strong in return

Brooks Koepka completed his first round since Sunday at the U.S. Open, and he was thrilled with a 68.

Koepka had to pull out during the first round of the Bridgestone Invitational because of torn ligaments in his right ankle, and he probably wouldn’t be playing this week except that it’s the final major of the year. His ankle is taped and he is wearing a brace.

Walking 18 holes for the first time since the final round at Oakmont was the first big test.

Koepka was No. 3 in the Ryder Cup standings when he stepped away in late June. A month later, he is down to No. 9. Points count double at a major, so Koepka has a good chance to move back into the top eight that automatically qualify.