Professional golf may be a younger man’s game, with players hitting the ball more than 340 yards off the tee, but Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood don’t want to hear it. The two legendary players are in the mix after the first round of the Open Championship in Northern Ireland.
What helped Phil Mickelson play well?
55-year-old Mickelson shot a 1-under 70, carding his best start at the Open since 2016. The six-time major champion is just three shots off the lead. His round included a score of 2-under on the front nine while showing off the short game that made him famous. He holed out from the bunker on the third hole for par.
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“That was a crazy one,” Mickelson said. “To make it, it was obviously a lot of luck. It was crazy. I was just trying to save bogey, and I got lucky and it went in.”
Mickelson also said he felt his group was a bit lucky to finish before the rough weather really affected their play.
“I really enjoy it,” Mickelson said. “I played really well and I really enjoy playing in these conditions and playing this tournament, so it was a lot of fun.”
How did Lee Westwood describe his first round?
Westwood, the 52-year-old Englishman, did Mickleson one better, shooting a 2-under 69. He said he’s glad to be up on the famous yellow leaderboard but also joked, “It’s Thursday, talk to me again if it’s up there Sunday.” Westwood then explained why the over-50 crowd might be able to hang around this weekend.
“Links golf, more than any golf, gives you a chance when you’re our age, youngsters, yeah, haven’t been called that in a while,” Westwood said. “There’s a bit more run on the ball. It’s not a golf course where it’s laid out where there’s a massive advantage to carrying a trap at 310 yards, which I don’t have anymore. You’ve got to use the conditions.”
How did the world’s best players fare?
Two of the favorites to win when the week began also overcame the conditions. The wind and the rain came down harder as top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and number two Rory McIlroy made their way around Royal Portrush. The local boy, McIlroy, was happy to come in with the same score as Mickelson, a 1-under 70.
“I feel the support of an entire country out there, which is a wonderful position to be in,” McIlroy said. “But at the same time, you don’t want to let them down. So, you know, there’s that little bit of added pressure, but I felt like I dealt with it really well today. Certainly dealt with it better than I did six years ago. So I was just happy to get off to a good start.”
What was special about Padraig Harrington’s day?
McIlroy’s fellow Irishman, 53-year-old Padraig Harrington, hit the ceremonial first tee shot early Thursday morning, July 17. He admitted to being a bit emotional after receiving a standing ovation and went on to shoot a 4-over 74. He still believes the old guys can compete in major championships, and money is a big reason why.
“The older golfers are much more capable now,” Harrington said. “When I started off, I had a trainer and a physio since ‘98. Once the money came into the game, what happens is you get a bigger team around you. I think I’ve been training full-time for what, that’s 27 years. So that’s why players are extending their careers.”
Those older gentlemen are hoping to extend their stay at Portrush into the weekend. Harris English, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Jacob Skov Olesen, Haotong Li and Christiaan Bezuidenhout are leading the tournament, all at 4-under par. The second round begins dark and early at 1:30 a.m. Eastern.
