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Phil Mickelson’s set a cracking pace in the opening round of the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon with a flawless eight-under 63.
His putt at the last was ever so close for a 62, that would be the lowest round in major golf history. He became the 29th to shoot the record 63.
If the 46-year-old leftie needed an omen, the last six Opens at Royal Troon have been won by Americans – Arnold Palmer in 1962, Tom Weiskopf (1973), Tom Watson (1982), Mark Calcavecchia (1989), Justin Leonard (1997), and Todd Hamilton in 2004.
Mickelson, winner of The Open in 2013, and the second highest money-winner in golf history with $80 million behind Tiger Woods’ $110 million, gave his playing partners Ernie Els (71) and Lee Westwood (71) a clinic
Mickelson’s eight birdies were, in the main, on even numbered holes – 2. 4. 6. 8, 10, 14, 16, and 17.
But he has compatriot company with six Americans at the top of the leaderboard, plus Germany’s Martin Kaymer, Brit Andy Sullivan, and consistent Dane Soren Kjeldsen.
Defending champion Zach Johnson was flawless as well with six birdie, until he bogeyed 17 and 18 for 67.
Patrick Reed was the early leader on five-under, his best Open round in three starts with 67.He chipped in for an eagle at the third, and with three birdies turned in 31.
With two birdies and two bogeys on the difficult back nine, Reed is well-placed.
He has nine top 10 starts on the USPGA tour,this season, second behind Dustin Johnson’s 11.
How the world’s top 10 fared:
Jason Day (1) – Not his normal confident self, struggling with his swing all day carding 73 with three bogeys and two birdies going out, followed by eight pars and a bogey at the last. The worst of the top ten.
Dustin Johnson (2) – Started with a bogey but carded two birdies by the turn, with just one bogey on the back nine for 71 – very quiet by his lofty standards.
Jordan Spieth (3) – An out of character 33 putts told his story in his par 71 with three birdies and three bogeys.
Rory McIlroy (4) – Four birdies in five holes was more like the old McIlroy, but a double, a bogey, and a birdie on the way home gave him a 69.
Bubba Watson (5) – The big-hitting leftie jumped out of the blocks with five birdies in the first six holes, but a triple at the eighth ruinedh is momentum, with three bogeys and two birdies on the homeward nine for a 70.
Henrik Stenson (6) – A strange round with a birdie going out, with three birdies and two bogeys on the way home for 68.
Rickie Fowler (7) – 14 pars for the exciting American who had two birdies going out, with a bogey-birdie finish for 69.
Adam Scott (8) – A birdie going out,with a bogey and two birdies on the way home for a 69 – left at least two on the course..
Danny Willett (9) – A hard to fathom round from the Masters champion with three birdies going out, and three bogeys going home for 71.
Brandon Grace (10) – 15 pars for the South African, with two birdies going out, and a sole bogey on the back nine for 70.
Leaderboard (par 71):
8-under – Phil Mickelson.
5-under – Robert Reed, Martin Kaymer.
4-under – Justin Thomas, Steve Stricker, Billy Horschel, Tony Finau, Soren Kjeldsen, Andy Sullivan, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley.
3-under – Justin Rose, Soomin Lee, Shugo Imahira, Richard Sterne, Bill Haas, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Yeta Ikeda, Thomas Pieters, Rafa Cabrera Bello,
Australians:
2-under – Adam Scott, Matt Jones.
Even – Scott Hend.
1-over – Marcus Fraser, Rod Pampling, Nathan Holman,Greg Chalmers.
2-over – Jason Day.
3-over – Marc Leishman, Nick Cullen.
8-over – Steve Bowditch.