Mickelson’s bid for 59 falls agonisingly short

Phoenix Open* -11: Phil Mickelson (US)* -7: Ryan Palmer (US), Ryan Palmer (US), Padraig Harrington (Ire)ARIZONA - Phil Mickelson came up agonisingly short in a spectacular bid to become the sixth player to dip under 60 on the PGA Tour when his birdie putt for a magical 59 horseshoed out at the Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona on Thursday.Having lined up a 25-footer at the par-four ninth, his final hole in the opening round at the TPC Scottsdale, Mickelson watched in anguish as his ball caught the right edge of the cup before rolling around the back of hole and spinning out.“The last six feet it was right on glide slope, it should have been right in the middle,” Mickelson told Golf Channel after shooting an 11-under-60. “To have that putt on line, I am kind of mortified that it didn’t go in.”The four-times major champion, who had pointed his putter in the direction of the ball as it headed towards the cup, clutched his drooping head with his left hand when his hopes of a 59 were so cruelly dashed.Mickelson had to settle for a share of the course record at the TPC Scottsdale - which he already held jointly with Grant Waite and Mark Calcavecchia - but grabbed a commanding four-shot lead in the fifth PGA Tour event of the season.Thirty-three players were still out on the course when play was suspended for the day in fading light after the start of the opening round had been delayed for an hour due to morning frost.Americans Brandt Snedeker, Ryan Palmer, Jeff Maggert and Ted Potter Jr., along with triple major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland in his first start of the year on the U.S. circuit, opened with 64s.

Sports

Mickelson’s bid for 59 falls agonisingly short