Phil Mickelson catches “Pause” for his best open start in years

Portrush, Northern Ireland-and 55-year-old Phil Mickelson, who used a combination of skill, happiness and experience, returned the clock at Royal Portrush on Thursday when he placed 18 holes before the weather had a 1-off 70 for his best opening round at an open championship since 2016.

“We had a pretty good break before the rain came in. It only came in the last few holes,” said Mickelson. “I really like to play these conditions and play this tournament. It's just a lot of fun.”

The six-time major winner was under the ranking early the day after playing his first nine holes in 2. Mickelson stumbled into the back nine in two bogeys, but was able to make a 20-foot value in 17th place to add another birdie to his card.

However, none of the birdies was as impressive as the Par-3 third. Mickelson's discount found the tricky Greenside bunker, and when he did not leave the first time he was trying, he had to fulfill some magic. His third shot landed on the right of the flag and turned into the hole for par.

“It was crazy,” said Mickelson. “To make it, it was obviously good luck. It was crazy. I just tried to save Bogey and I was lucky and it went in.”

Happiness seems to be a much greater part of the equation at a tournament like The Open, in which the weather conditions and the connection between Golf, the unpredictable bouncy amounts and lies exhaust left and right. Mickelson, who won the Open 2013 in Muirfield in Scotland, said he was proud of how he was able to take over this golf style in the course of his career.

“I think winning the open in 2013 was the greatest performance in my career because I had to learn a golf style that I didn't play,” said Mickelson. “Now I have really loved it, enjoy it and I seem to play well in some unwanted conditions.”

Mickelson and his play partners were able to avoid the worst weather on Thursday, but it will probably find them at some point on Friday or beyond.

“When you get such conditions, you will start realizing that 60, 80 foot in the right place are like a good place and you can see that you can make 20 or 30 footers out here,” said Mickelson. “You think you don't have to press it. You don't have to force it.”

In his first round, Mickelson scored over 50% of his greens and allowed his short game and set him to win over three blows in the field in this area.

When he goes to Friday, he is well positioned to make the cut. Last year Mickelson was at Royal Troon for 60th place, but it was his first cut at this event since 2016. This year he missed the cut with the other three majors.

“I just think that it is a sign of a complete player to be able to win under all conditions of the majors that they offer,” said Mickelson. “Obviously I have never won a US Open, but a master's degree requires a completely different style of play than a US open and a PGA. This is also unique.”