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Mickelson takes charge at Riviera
Source: Agencies |
February 18, 2012, Saturday
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RED-HOT Phil Mickelson, fresh from victory at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Sunday, chipped in to birdie his last hole and grab a one-shot lead at the Northern Trust Open in California on Thursday.
On a tricky day of strong, gusting winds at Riviera Country Club, the American left-hander delivered a superb five-under-par 66 to finish a stroke in front of compatriots J.B. Holmes and Hunter Mahan.
American Jonathan Byrd, who played in the stronger gusts of the morning, and Swede Carl Pettersson opened with 68s while British world No. 1 Luke Donald launched his PGA Tour season with a 70.
However, 30 players were still out on the course when play was suspended in fading light.
Of those, 2006 winner Rory Sabbatini of South Africa was closest to the lead at two-under par with one hole remaining.
Mickelson, champion here in 2008 and 2009, recorded six birdies and a lone bogey to replicate the scintillating form he unveiled in the final round at Pebble Beach where he closed with a flawless 64.
Having made his only mistake of the day at the par-three 16th, he was delighted to end his round with a 35-foot chip-in from just off the back of the green at the par-four 18th.
"It wasn't one I was really trying to make," four-times major winner Mickelson told reporters.
"It was quick, it was downhill and I had to play about four or five feet of break.
"I was trying to get good speed and try to let it feed with the break. I got fortunate obviously that it went in."
"I left one or two (shots) out on 16 and 17, and you hate to have such a good round and let a few slide late," added Mickelson, who failed to birdie the par-five 17th. "To make that shot unexpectedly on 18 felt like I got one of those back."
In Christchurch, New Zealand, 14-year-old Lydia Ko shot a three-under 69 to lie two strokes off the lead after yesterday's opening round of her home tournament, the 54-hole New Zealand Women's Golf Open.
On a tricky day of strong, gusting winds at Riviera Country Club, the American left-hander delivered a superb five-under-par 66 to finish a stroke in front of compatriots J.B. Holmes and Hunter Mahan.
American Jonathan Byrd, who played in the stronger gusts of the morning, and Swede Carl Pettersson opened with 68s while British world No. 1 Luke Donald launched his PGA Tour season with a 70.
However, 30 players were still out on the course when play was suspended in fading light.
Of those, 2006 winner Rory Sabbatini of South Africa was closest to the lead at two-under par with one hole remaining.
Mickelson, champion here in 2008 and 2009, recorded six birdies and a lone bogey to replicate the scintillating form he unveiled in the final round at Pebble Beach where he closed with a flawless 64.
Having made his only mistake of the day at the par-three 16th, he was delighted to end his round with a 35-foot chip-in from just off the back of the green at the par-four 18th.
"It wasn't one I was really trying to make," four-times major winner Mickelson told reporters.
"It was quick, it was downhill and I had to play about four or five feet of break.
"I was trying to get good speed and try to let it feed with the break. I got fortunate obviously that it went in."
"I left one or two (shots) out on 16 and 17, and you hate to have such a good round and let a few slide late," added Mickelson, who failed to birdie the par-five 17th. "To make that shot unexpectedly on 18 felt like I got one of those back."
In Christchurch, New Zealand, 14-year-old Lydia Ko shot a three-under 69 to lie two strokes off the lead after yesterday's opening round of her home tournament, the 54-hole New Zealand Women's Golf Open.
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