Oosthuizen makes hole-in-1 at British Open
The laid-back American comes into the championship fresh from finally winning a major at the US Open last month and he shares the status of favorite with world number one Jason Day of Australia.
Golf legend Mickelson shot a round of 63 to give him a three-shot lead at Royal Troon, agonisingly close to becoming the first player to ever shoot 62 at a Major.
Reed also spoke of how he feels that competing in last week’s Scottish Open has benefited him at Royal Troon. How to watch the British Open 2016?
The 53-year-old, who was runner-up at St Andrews in 2005, took a six on the par-four opening hole, but recovered to hit the turn three under. Mickelson plopped his hand on his forehead in disbelief. His caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay, toppled onto his back.
“Obviously I feel like I do my bit to grow the game”.
Instead, Spieth shot even-par 71 that has him trailing morning wave leader Patrick Reed by five shots in Scotland. Last year’s champion Zach Johnson is listed at 60/1.
Favored in all three majors this year, he still can’t seem to get off to a good start.
As for the putt on 18, Mickelson couldn’t believe it didn’t go in.
“It stinks to have a chance, such a rare opportunity to do something historical like that”.
“There are so many experts that are taking care of all that… we’ve just got to trust them”.
What helped ease the pain is that it was only Thursday. Mickelson hasn’t won since he captured the claret jug at Muirfield three years ago. That didn’t hurt as badly as this one because five players have shot 59 on the PGA Tour. “I’m not the one that’s writing the articles or doing anything”, Reed said. Spieth said this again two weeks before the U.S. Open. “I like the way the holes shape away and it’s something that suits my eye”. Just because they’re easy, however, doesn’t mean Phil will always make it so. “Because that ball should have been in”. “I knew if I pured that 6-iron [second shot], the back was going to come into play”.
“I think that stayed with me on 14, but to bounce back with a birdie on 15 was good. I’m just heartbroken. To have that putt lip out, that’s going to sting for a while”.
And now, he faces a return to reality.
Coming off his first major title at the U.S. Open, Johnson had an afternoon tee time. As a small consolation, Mickelson has the course record at Royal Troon. Lefty was ready to embrace whatever came his way.
“I don’t think the forecast is actually that bad this week, and I don’t think it’s going to throw up a bad side of the draw, which is nice”, said Ireland’s Shane Lowry.