Mickelson leads Travelers in first event since turning 50
CROMWELL, Conn. — Phil Mickelson figures age might be an asset.
Playing his first tournament since turning 50 this month, the five-time major champion shot a 7-under 63 on Friday in the Travelers Championship to take a one-stroke lead into the weekend.
Lefty said it was perhaps the wisdom that comes with his age that made him stay within himself instead of going toe-to-toe with his long-hitting playing partners, topranked Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau.
“There’s some holes I can open it up and try to hit driver, but really I just want to get it in play on a lot of holes and let my wedges take over, and I’ve hit a lot of good wedge shots this week,” said Mickelson. Mickelson was at 13-under 127. Two more players withdrew because of the coronavirus Friday — Denny McCarthy for a positive test, and Bud Cauley, who tested negative, but decided to pull out after playing alongside McCarthy on Thursday. There have been seven COVID-19-related withdrawals.
First-round leader Mackenzie Hughes followed an opening 60 with a 68 to drop into a secondplace tie with 23-year-old Will Gordon, who led most of the day after shooting an early 62.
Since winning at Pebble Beach early last year for his 44th PGA Tour title, Mickelson has mostly struggled, with far more missed cuts than good finishes.
On Friday at tree-lined TPC River Highlands, Mickelson made a bogey on his second hole before moving up the leaderboard. He made the first of his eight birdies from a green-side bunker on No. 5 and shot 30 on the back nine.
While Mickelson is making his 624th PGA Tour start, Gordon is in his eighth tour event on a sponsor’s exemption.
He had nine birdies and just missed a few others, including on the fourth hole where his 35-foot birdie putt came to rest on the edge of the cup.
“I was supposed to play in three events that got canceled over COVID, so for those guys to take a chance on me and believe in me means the world,” Gordon said.
McIlroy followed his firstround 63 with a 68. He was tied for fourth, four strokes off the lead and happy to be in contention.
“I know what it feels like to
go low out here, so I’ll need a couple of good ones over the weekend,” he said. “But the game feels in decent shape, and obviously get out early tomorrow and try to get back in the mix.”