Phil Mickelson walked to the tee of the par-4 15th (his sixth hole of the day) at 2-over par 22 on his round, and 1-over for the tournament. After his tee ball on 15 went left and found the pine straw, Mickelson’s round looked to be cooked, and – with a projected cut line at even-par – his weekend tee times were in jeopardy.
But as he’s done so many times, the 50-year old’s imagination took over: Phil hit a little punch draw, checked his ball to just four feet of the pin, and then made the putt for birdie.
Birdie to get back inside the cut line.
You love to see it.pic.twitter.com/xMb3XNcv4z
— THE PLAYERS (@THEPLAYERSChamp) March 12, 2021
He would make another Phil-type birdie on the next hole to turn on even-par 36, and 1 under for the tournament.
If Mickelson goes on to make the cut, his 24th shot of the day – a punch draw from the pine straw – will be looked at as the key turning point.
