McIlroy struggles early in marquee group

Rory McIlroy needed 35 putts in his opening round playing in a marquee group with Jason Day and Phil Mickelson. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

"I just didn't capitalize on the opportunities that My spouse and i had out there, very well Day said. "I have not had the greatest placing display during the previous three weeks that We have played. I feel that shows a little bit in the results.

"I've acquired to do a little little bit of putting to try to straighten out a number of the little ones. Try to change that focus from standing above the ball and thinking about what are I doing rather than get in there and try to hole the putt. "

Mickelson was wowing his throng of supporters in an incorrect fashion early, unable to duplicate his stellar Royal Troon form.

Instead the expert was swashbuckling his way around the Lower Course's back nine, missing kept and right, hitting pictures fat, topping another and half-shanking one more.

In the event that he bogeyed the second hole after making the turn, he sat 4-over but rather than load up his bags early, the 46-year-old found a few of the magic that helped him to the championship at Baltusrol in 2005.

Nourishing off a raucous set urging him on, the five-time major winner came back to three closing birdies and a 71.

"I've been playing very well at the British and in my preparation, also to come out (and) strike shots like I struck those first 11 gaps was very disappointing, inch Mickelson said. "However, Now i'm proud that I put up inside, fought and acquired three back coming in. I'm in a position where I know I am just playing well. If My spouse and i go out tomorrow and play a good game, I think I can shoot mid-60s and get back in it and that's the goal. inch

Mickelson was left to lament the fact this individual was didn't play a tournament in the lead-in, his usual strategy. This individual deciding to forego the chance to play the RBC Canadian Open since it would have recently been four tournaments in a row.

"I was thrilled to play and be competitive again while not having to have a month off for preparation. However, I don't do well not playing the week before, " he said. "I do significantly better when I'm playing the week before a major. You kind of saw it today. I hit awful shots the first 14 holes.?

"(I was) just quick from the top. Just lost focus. Only antsy, little jumpy, just lost the rhythm and made some terrible ups and downs. There's no real answer. The game has recently been very easy and the first 11 holes was quite difficult. "?

The triada will resume their challenge, weather permitting, at one particular: 45 p. m. AINSI QUE Friday.