After his battle Henrik Stenson at the British Open two weeks ago, Phil Mickelson expected to come out strong on Thursday at the PGA Championship.
Mickelson didn't get off to the best of starts. He bogeyed four of his first 11 holes at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey. He did bounce back with three birdies down the stretch to finish Round 1 with a 1-over 71.
"The first 11 holes were very disappointing," Mickelson said. "I've been playing very well at the British and in my preparation, and to come out hit shots like I hit those first 11 holes was very disappointing.
"However, I'm proud that I hung in there, fought and got three back coming in. I'm in a position where I know I'm playing well. If I go out tomorrow and just play a good round, I think I can shoot mid-60s and get back in it and that's the goal."
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Mickelson, who usually has a large crowd of onlookers, said Thursday's fans helped.
"I'll tell you what was a big thing for me today was the people out here, the crowd," Mickelson said. "Because after you're — I was 4 over through 11 and I'm down, I'm hard on myself, I'm down. The people helped to really kind of pick me back up. I remember walking off of No. 3 and a guy said, 'Hey, you've got a lot of golf left, you're not out of this, let's get going.' He's right. Got a lot golf left. I came back and made some birdies. Birdied that hole.
"The support that the people here in New Jersey, New York, metropolitan area have given me over the years, today was the day that it helped the most, I think."
Known for playing the week before a major, Mickelson said resting last week has thrown him off his rhythm.
"I was excited to play and compete again and not have to have a month off for preparation," Mickelson said. "Unfortunately, I don't do well not playing the week before. I do much better when I'm playing the week before a major. You kind of saw it today. I hit terrible shots the first 11 holes.
"I'm pleased that I was able to turn it around though and make some (birdies) coming in."
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Mickelson begins his second round about 1:45 p.m. ET Friday with playing partners Rory McIlroy and Jason Day.