Mickelson in mix after 5-under 65
After a disappointing first round at this week’s FedEx St. Jude Classic, Phil Mickelson putted his way into contention Friday afternoon with a 5-under 65.
Mickelson birdied three of his first six holes and saved par on No. 7, pulling into a threeway tie for third place with Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka entering the weekend at TPC Southwind.
“I love the greens here because, although they’re small and difficult to hit, if you do hit them, you’re rewarded with a very makable opportunity,” Mickelson said. “It’s not these ridiculous double-breaking putts that we often see. Here, even though they’re very fast and you have to be careful because the ball can get away from you, you can really get it going on the greens.”
Mickelson has posted top-15 finishes in his last three trips to Memphis, tying for second in 2013 and tying for third last year, but he has never won here. His putter, which he said has been a strength all year, may give him a chance. In particular, he stressed the importance of hitting putts from within 10 feet, as he has done so far this week.
“(Those) are really the ones that you need to make to keep rounds going, to get up into contention. Those are the ones that could go either way. And I’ve made a lot of them this year,” Mickelson said. “If I can hit a few more greens with the way I’m putting, I should have a good chance.”
CRANE STILL A SOUTHWIND BELIEVER
Former FESJC champion Ben Crane opened with a 68 and fell back from the pack with an even-par 70 on Friday. Still, it didn’t detract from his appreciation for TPC Southwind.
“The more I play this golf course, the more I think it’s the best golf course on the PGA Tour, especially when we get it firm,” he said. “Sawgrass is right up there. Colonial is right up there.
“Here we’ve got the rough up, we’ve got the greens fast, the Bermuda (grass) around the greens is extremely tough. This course rewards great play. It has a variety of long and short holes. It’s just an incredible golf course. The more I play it, the more I love it.”
Crane won the FESJC in 2014.
“I’m playing well again, and I certainly have to make up some ground this weekend,” he said. “But I feel like my game is in good shape.”
ANYONE FOR TENNIS? MAYBE BERGER
If anyone on the PGA Tour would be likely to play tennis during his down time, Daniel Berger would be the leading candidate.
Berger, the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year in the 201415 season, is the son of former ATP World Tour player Jay Berger. Jay reached as high as No. 7 in the world during his pro tennis career and posted wins over Mats Wilander, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, all of whom were former No. 1-ranked players.
Berger, who has said he’d have chosen a pro tennis career had he not developed a passion for golf, enjoys having been introduced to the sport, which he plays occasionally.
“It’s great to be able to get away from (golf) at times and do something else,” he said.
Berger fired a bogey-free 6-under 64 on Friday.
During stops on the PGA Tour, Berger said, he occasionally gets Matt Kuchar and Sergio Garcia to play. So, how do they rank as amateur tennis players?
“Oh, it’s Sergio, Kuchar and then me,” he said. “I’m the worst.”