Friday 30 January 2015 23:01, UK
Phil Mickelson lambasted himself for making “dumb mistakes” during his erratic, first-round 69 at the star-studded Waste Management Phoenix Open.
The three-time winner at TPC Scottsdale got off to a poor start with a bogey at the 10th, and he then struggled to keep his composure in check after putting two balls in the water at the 15th.
The resulting double-bogey seven dropped him to three over par, but he bounced back with birdies at 17 and 18 and picked up further shots at the third, eighth and ninth holes to salvage a respectable two-under scorecard.
"I felt like I was a little anxious starting the round, because I felt like my game was really where I wanted it to be," said Mickelson, who tied for 24th on 15 under in his first start of the year at the Humana Challenge last week.
"I came out and I just made a bunch of dumb mistakes. But I ended up playing the front nine really solid with three birdies, and I hit a lot of good shots on some holes I made pars, as well, and feel much better.
"I feel like I'm driving the ball well and hitting some good shots. This was an important thing for me, because I'm in a position now if I get hot tomorrow I can get right back in it."
Click on the video to see what Mickelson had to say to Tim Barter at the Sky Cart following Thursday's round ...
