By ALEX MICELI
Golfweek Contributing WriterPhil Mickelson hadn’t made a cut or shot in the 60s in the U.S. since winning The Players in May. That changed Friday, as Mickelson shot 69 to move to 2-over 142 and into a tie for 19th.
“This is the first week I feel just terrific,” Mickelson said. “My hand feels pretty good and I’m excited about playing golf.”
Even though Mickelson lost the Scottish Open in a playoff the week before the British Open, he was not close to 100% and was hurting the whole way. He said his wrist is in good shape now, but his game isn’t at full strength because he hasn’t been able to practice as much as he’d like.
“It just feels like I’m leaving four or five shots out there,” Mickelson said of his lack of sharpness. “I feel like I’m playing a lot better than I’m scoring. That’s what’s been frustrating.”
Eagle has landed: Troy Matteson had played in just one major before this week, shooting consecutive 79s to miss the cut at this year’s Masters. He’s on the way to a better showing at the PGA after a second-round 69 at Southern Hills that moved him to 1-over 141 and T-15.
Matteson jump-started his round by holing a wedge shot from 142 yards for eagle on No. 3, moments after watching playing partner John Senden nearly hole out.
“I hit it and maybe just pulled it two yards,” Matteson said. “Just enough that I’m thinking I may hit it past the hole, it may hit short of the hole, but I knew it was pretty much on top of it and I was just hoping it didn’t spin too much. It landed 3 inches from the hole and just skipped into the hole.”
Storm weakened: Graeme Storm was a force at Southern Hills for exactly one day. After holding the first-round lead with a bogey-free 65, Storm followed up with a 6-over 76 that included eight bogeys and a double bogey. Storm was even par through six holes Friday, but played his final 12 in 6 over to fall to a tie for 15th
“I think it’s just golf to be honest,” Storm said. “I didn’t get the run of the ball. If I missed the green, I got on the wrong side of the pin. I was struggling to make par.”
Posted: 8/10/2007
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