Cool Mickelson hits stride early at Scottish Open
Source: Agencies |
July 12, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
PHIL Mickelson quickly hit his stride at the Scottish Open yesterday, shooting a 6-under 66 to sit two strokes off John Parry's lead midway through the first round in Inverness.
Rebounding from three-putting for bogey on his first hole, Mickelson picked apart a defenseless Castle Stuart links course under blue skies and little wind in the Scottish Highlands to hit six birdies and an eagle at No. 12.
The eighth-ranked American is seeking a first win in Europe in 20 years, while using the event as practice for next week's British Open at Muirfield.
"It's great for me to get off to a decent start because I have gotten off to poor starts the last couple of years here and I have been fighting just to make the cut and get into reasonable contention," said the four-time major winner. "Many of my great rounds in the past have started with a bogey so I wasn't too worried."
Parry, ranked No. 471, led the way after shooting a blemish-free round of 64 in the second group out in perfect conditions. Fellow Englishman Simon Khan shot 65 and is alone in second.
A sea of red on the scoreboard suggested Castle Stuart is there for the taking until the wind picks up off the Moray Firth, and Parry and Khan had the best of the conditions in the opening two groups.
Irishman Shane Lowry, Finland's Mikko Ilonen, James Morrison of England and Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat also shot 66s to tie for third with Mickelson.
British Open champion Ernie Els of South Africa was the headline act of the afternoon starters.
Rebounding from three-putting for bogey on his first hole, Mickelson picked apart a defenseless Castle Stuart links course under blue skies and little wind in the Scottish Highlands to hit six birdies and an eagle at No. 12.
The eighth-ranked American is seeking a first win in Europe in 20 years, while using the event as practice for next week's British Open at Muirfield.
"It's great for me to get off to a decent start because I have gotten off to poor starts the last couple of years here and I have been fighting just to make the cut and get into reasonable contention," said the four-time major winner. "Many of my great rounds in the past have started with a bogey so I wasn't too worried."
Parry, ranked No. 471, led the way after shooting a blemish-free round of 64 in the second group out in perfect conditions. Fellow Englishman Simon Khan shot 65 and is alone in second.
A sea of red on the scoreboard suggested Castle Stuart is there for the taking until the wind picks up off the Moray Firth, and Parry and Khan had the best of the conditions in the opening two groups.
Irishman Shane Lowry, Finland's Mikko Ilonen, James Morrison of England and Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat also shot 66s to tie for third with Mickelson.
British Open champion Ernie Els of South Africa was the headline act of the afternoon starters.
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