Dustin Johnson fired an opening round 64 to lead the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club by one shot over Andres Romero and Kevin Stadler. Phil Mickelson, who took the PING wedges out of his bag this week, proved he may need them after all after opening with an one-over par, 72.
Johnson started with a par on the 10th hole and made four birdies in the first nine holes. After a birdie on the first hole, he added two more on the seventh and eighth holes. Romero finished his round with four straight birdies, for a total of eight on the day, but was hurt by a double-bogey on the ninth hole. Stadler got off to a fast start with six birdies in his first eight holes. After a birdie on the first hole, his 10th, and a bogey on the second, Stadler finished with seven straight pars.
Brandt Snedeker continues to be the hottest player on the PGA TOUR. Snedeker shot 66 in the first round of the Northern Trust Open and is tied for fourth place with Ricky Barnes. Steve Stricker is a shot behind them at four-under par, tied with Steve Lowery and Cameron Beckman. Fourteen players are tied at three-under par, including Ernie Els, Luke Donald and Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, who is making his PGA season debut. Also in that group are Rory Sabbatini, J. B. Holmes, Jesper Parnevik, Scott Verplank, Troy Matteson, Stephen Ames, Charley Hoffman, Jonathan Byrd, Fredrik Jacobson, Roland Thatcher and David Duval.
As for Mickelson…
Mickelson back-tracked on the reason why he played the PING Eye 2 wedges – now claiming it was to prove a point that the ruling needed to be changed. With the PING clubs out of the bag, Mickelson is tied for 83rd place. The two-time defending champion this week opened his round of 72 with a birdie. After a bogey on the fifth hole, he made birdies on the eighth, 10th and 11th holes. But, Mickelson finished with four bogeys over the final seven holes. Maybe he should have left them in the bag.
Parting shot – it is funny how people react when accused of cheating…threaten lawsuit, accept apology, make up new reason as to why utilizing a loophole to your advantage was for the betterment of the game.
Johnson leads Northern Trust Open
Johnson started with a par on the 10th hole and made four birdies in the first nine holes. After a birdie on the first hole, he added two more on the seventh and eighth holes. Romero finished his round with four straight birdies, for a total of eight on the day, but was hurt by a double-bogey on the ninth hole. Stadler got off to a fast start with six birdies in his first eight holes. After a birdie on the first hole, his 10th, and a bogey on the second, Stadler finished with seven straight pars.
Brandt Snedeker continues to be the hottest player on the PGA TOUR. Snedeker shot 66 in the first round of the Northern Trust Open and is tied for fourth place with Ricky Barnes. Steve Stricker is a shot behind them at four-under par, tied with Steve Lowery and Cameron Beckman. Fourteen players are tied at three-under par, including Ernie Els, Luke Donald and Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, who is making his PGA season debut. Also in that group are Rory Sabbatini, J. B. Holmes, Jesper Parnevik, Scott Verplank, Troy Matteson, Stephen Ames, Charley Hoffman, Jonathan Byrd, Fredrik Jacobson, Roland Thatcher and David Duval.
As for Mickelson…
Mickelson back-tracked on the reason why he played the PING Eye 2 wedges – now claiming it was to prove a point that the ruling needed to be changed. With the PING clubs out of the bag, Mickelson is tied for 83rd place. The two-time defending champion this week opened his round of 72 with a birdie. After a bogey on the fifth hole, he made birdies on the eighth, 10th and 11th holes. But, Mickelson finished with four bogeys over the final seven holes. Maybe he should have left them in the bag.
Parting shot – it is funny how people react when accused of cheating…threaten lawsuit, accept apology, make up new reason as to why utilizing a loophole to your advantage was for the betterment of the game.