Phil Mickelson misses out on a chance to break the 36-hole PGA Tour record
Phil Mickelson’s blunder on the 18th hole, in the second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open cost him another shot at history, as he missed out on a chance to break the 36-hole PGA Tour record, on Friday, February 1, 2013.
The tournament is being played at the TPC Scottsdale, featuring some of the prominent names on the PGA Tour. A number of top notch players from different parts of the world have gathered together, vying for a share of US$6.2 million prize fund on offer.
Mickelson, who fired a scintillating 11-under par 60 on day one, was on course to break the PGA Tour record of posting the lowest 36-hole score, when he entered the 18th hole on day two, with a 19-under par overall score.
Thereafter, his tee shot went way left off the fairway, into the water hazard, which forced him to concede a double bogey. As a result, he missed the record by one shot.
Pat Perez and David Toms currently share the lowest 36-hole scoring record, which they set in the 2009 Bob Hope Classic and the 2011 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, respectively.
Despite making a poor finish to his second round campaign, he still holds a four-stroke lead over Bill Haas.
Talking to the reporters after completing his round, the American expressed his disappointment in conceding a double bogey on the final hole.
In the meantime, he also said that the mistake made him realise that he will have to refocus on his game, in order to maintain his position on top of the leaderboard.
“You always remember kind of the last hole, the last putt,” Mickelson said. “But I think it's very possible that's going to help me because it's got me refocused, that I cannot ease up on a single shot. I've got to be really focused. These guys are going
to make a lot of birdies and I've got to get after it and cannot make those kinds of mistakes”.
“Unfortunately, I made a double on the last hole and didn’t finish the way I wanted to,” Mickelson added. “But I think it’s a good example of what can happen on this course”.
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