Cart-path birdie highlights Mickelson's 67
March 7, 2013 - 6:10 PM ET
Phil Mickelson posted a bogey-free, 5-under-par 33-34=67 in his opening round of the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship, finishing one stroke off the pace of the overnight co-leaders.
Mickelson hit 15 greens in regulation to threaten early. None of his first four birdies measured longer than six feet and he missed a pair of birdie chances from inside eight feet, but the story of his round was what happened at the par-4 17th hole. His drive landed on a cart path and didn't deviate until it finally came to rest 450 yards from the tee. Electing to play the ball off the concrete, he chipped to within 10 feet and sunk the birdie. It was vintage Mickelson on a day when the course relented to the touring pros.
