Mickelson fails, Lee soars

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  • March 28, 2014

Phil Mickelson struggled while Danny Lee earned a share of the clubhouse lead at the PGA’s Valero Texas Open, which was affected by fog.

Lee had a slow start and after a bogey on the par four tenth, found himself on even par. However, the New Zealander birdied four out of the last five holes to card a four under 68.

The 23-year-old shares the clubhouse lead with America’s Par Perez, while Cameron Beckman and Chesson Hadley are one back on three under. There was a two and a half hour fog delay which means a number of players will finish their rounds on Friday.

“I was hitting it really good but I wasn’t making that many putts in the early round but in the end it was quite a lot of putts,” said the former US Amateur champion.

“I was missing cut by a couple of shots or one stroke a lot because of the putting so I was trying a lot of things.

“I was practicing on the putting green and it felt really good while I was doing claw grip that’s why I changed that. And it seems to be working.”

Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson had a day to forget in San Antonio, shooting a five over 77 that included a double bogey on his final hole.

The American was one over after the first nine, but he played the back nine at four over in the wake of some poor putting.

The round was his worst in the last seven months, after posting three 74’s in the season. The round sees the lefty nine shots off the lead.

“I had been playing real well at home, so to come out and play like this is disappointing,” said the five time Major winner, who is using the Texas Open as a tune up for the Masters.

“Just didn’t feel quite sharp.”

“I didn’t putt well,” he said, referring to the 17 putts on the second nine.

“I had a couple of three-putts that hurt. Iron play wasn’t great. I didn’t drive it bad, until that last hole.”

Mickelson was paired up with Jordan Spieth, who also struggled to a three over 75, while American trio Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson all carded two under 70’s on a tough day where just over a third of the field are one under or better.

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