August 31, 2013. After his brilliant game on day one of Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston, the world no. 3 is likely to replace Tiger Woods from his top spot in Fed Ex rankings.
Mickelson turned in the star performance Friday morning with a 28 that allowed him to consider — but only briefly — another shot at 59.
At the day finish, Phil played a risky shot from deep in the trees on his final hole to salvage bogey, he was happy to have a share of the lead. Mickelson was tied with Brian Davis, who made a 25-foot birdie putt on the last hole to join him at 8-under 63. He’s now projected to move to No. 1 in the FedExCup standings here at the second leg of the Playoffs.
“What Phil did today was pretty impressive,” Woods said after a 68 that only seemed worse considering the company he kept.
Barclay champion Adam Scott, rounding out the 1-2-3 pairing, struggled to a 73 and joked later that he rolled out of the wrong side of the bed. “I wish could have gotten in their jet stream,” Scott said.
Mickelson did everything right in his first round on the TPC Boston.
“It was a good start,” Mickelson said. “I got off to a great front nine and somewhat stalled on the back. But after shooting 7 under the first nine, it was going to be a good round as long as I didn’t mess it up.”
Mickelson has never won the FedExCup (now in its seventh year), been named Player of the Year or topped the Official World Golf Ranking.
Woods said his back felt fine. The only thing that hurt was not hitting enough shots close for birdie chances, and missing a few at the end. Woods had a 6-foot birdie putt on the seventh and a downhill birdie putt from about 12 feet on his last hole, missing both of them.
