Phil Didn't Get Booed

First... In my defense, the incorrect times I included in the previous day's post came from GC's TV agenda and they have been nonetheless incorrect Thursday once I doublechecked them after the declares were already on. So scream at them! (I realize I did, but I don't suppose they heard me.)

Anyway, when I turned on GC at 3:30 for the pregame show, Phil was finishing up his round and I got to see the final putt... for a 59! Here's the putt:

You gotta love Bones death there on the ninth green. (Watch from the 1:20 mark. Bones is at the left, simply in the back of Phil.) It's tough to consider the ball could make a 180 across the hole and stop so near with out falling in.

Phil shot 60 returned in 2005 at the WM Phoenix Open and gained, which should bode nicely for him. You'll be aware that the photos say this 60 ties his career low, however he did shoot a 59 at the Grand Slam of Golf some years ago. (He had a putt for 58 at that one.) I wager the PGA does not depend the GSoG as an legitimate match. I understand I do not count it in my stats.

Here's Phil's complete scorecard for the first round. Not horrific for a man who couldn't make anything at Torrey:

I guess I should mention that Phil credited his good play to a new driver he put in the bag this week. It's Callaway’s new RAZR Fit Xtreme driver that he says he can hit with his iron swing -- I assume he means he can hit down on it instead of trying to sweep the ball off the tee -- and it flies pretty straight. Here's the quote, from this PGATOUR.com article:

"This driver spins so low that I can have more loft on the club, making it easier to hit," Mickelson stated. "It surely will be a innovative club for me."

If you want more details on the driver, check this golfchannel.com article.

In the interim, we'll see if Phil can maintain it going. He's already 4 strokes beforehand of every body else. If he keeps on like this, he may keep away from getting booed all week.