Phil Mickelson eyes his tee shot at the sixth hole during the first round of the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield Golf Club. (Photo: Paul Cunningham, USA TODAY Sports)
GULLANE, Scotland - Phil Mickelson arrived at Muirfield for the 142nd British Open with confidence, following a victory last week at the Scottish Open.
One round in, Mickelson is right where he wants to be.
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The four-time major champ opened Thursday with a 2-under 69, three shots behind behind clubhouse leader Zach Johnson (5-under 66).
Mickelson was a 3 under before closing with a bogey at 18.
Rafael Cabrerea-Bello of Spain shot 67. Miguel Angel Jimenez , Dustin Johnson and Brandt Snedeker were in with 3-under 68s.
"I got really lucky (tee time) because I think the R&A was really worried about the scores going too low and there are some really funky pin placements," Mickelson sayd. "They used some funny spots and about one third of every green has just died it's so brown. I hit two perfect shots on 18, left it in the exact spot I wanted to leave it and I just kind of lagged it still went way by. I got really lucky to play early because I at least had a fighting chance.
"As I played more on links golf I realized that angles were the most important part of playing links golf. I was always able to take angles out of play in America by playing over the trouble and getting it to stop. 60-degree wedge. Links golf required more of a thought process. It took me a while to really learn it and appreciate it.
I don't see anyone in the afternoon with a realistic chance (shooting low). It's a little overdone. I feel bad for these guys who have to go out and play it. There is a distinct disadvantage. Luck is always a factor but it this shouldn't have been a factor. The weather didn't come here. It's fine, its just the way it was presented."
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The struggles continued for Rory McIlroy, who played with Mickelson. He opened with an 8-over 79.
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