Phil Mickelson Opens With Even-Par 70 At Bridgestone Invitational

It's been six weeks since Phil Mickelson walked off Bethpage Black carrying a barrel of emotions which pulled at the left-hander. Mickelson finished second at the U.S. Open that week, but his mind went immediately from the golf to the family, to caring for wife Amy and mother Mary as they battled breast cancer simultaneously.

Now, back in the field at his first PGA Tour tournament since June 21, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Mickelson struggled on his first nine holes before closing with a 3-under inward nine to shoot an even-par 70. The round, which was capped with a 12-foot par save on his final hole of the day, has Lefty four shots back of the leaders, but in a better position than he was in when he started the round.

After a par on his first hole, the par-4 10th, Mickelson missed a short bogey putt on 11 to make a quick double-bogey. The birdie on 12 got one shot back, but Phil closed his front nine with bogeys on fifth and ninth holes. His next nine was more of what we'd expect, polishing off three birdies and no bogeys to get back to even for the round.

Mickelson is currently chasing Prayad Marksaeng and Tim Clark, who both are in the clubhouse at 4-under, and Steve Stricker, who is 3-under and looking for his third victory of the season.

Phil is trying to win on Firestone Country Club for the second time in his career and the first time since 1996.