Phil Mickelson brought some magic back to the British Open on Thursday, pulling off a remarkable save when he left his ball in a bunker but then holed the next shot from 75 feet for an unlikely par. He tipped his cap and gave a thumbs-up to the crowd, channeling the Mickelson of old, complete with his signature gray stubble.
Starting with a 1-under 70 at Royal Portrush, Mickelson, who set the record as the oldest major winner by capturing the 2021 PGA Championship at age 50, now competes at golf’s oldest major—The Open. This tournament has a history of giving older players a chance, exemplified by Greg Norman leading at age 53 in 2008 and Tom Watson nearly winning at 59 in 2009.
“The Open gives the older gentlemen a chance to win more than any other tournament,” said 52-year-old Lee Westwood, who was briefly tied for the lead before a few bogeys pushed him back to a 69. Westwood, playing his first Open since joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour last year, earned his spot through regional qualifying just weeks ago. Though he’s yet to win on the LIV circuit, he found some form on the links, noting the course suits older players by emphasizing experience over length.
Mickelson, 55, hasn’t won since that landmark victory at Kiawah Island but remains a champion with plenty of life in the Open, having previously won at Muirfield in 2013. He started strong with a neat wedge shot for birdie on the par-5 second hole, but it was his next shot that really turned heads. After teeing off into a bunker and getting stuck near the lip, his first attempt barely escaped only to roll back in. Then, his second shot splashed out 25 yards and landed just 10 feet from the hole—with enough spin to drop straight in.
Mickelson raised both arms in celebration, admitting afterward that luck played a big role. “That was a crazy one,” he said. “It was one of maybe two poor shots I hit, and I was just trying to save bogey. I got lucky it went in.”
He stayed solid through the morning with a birdie on the seventh, a couple of bogeys on the back nine, and a 20-foot birdie on 17. This marked his first time breaking par in 21 consecutive major rounds, a welcome return to form despite mostly dry conditions.
“I played really well, and I had an opportunity,” Mickelson said. “I enjoy playing these conditions and this tournament. It’s just a lot of fun.”
Not all of the veteran players had such a smooth day. Padraig Harrington, fresh off his U.S. Senior Open win, had the honor of hitting the tournament’s opening tee shot and birdied the first hole. However, his round quickly fell apart with two three-putts in a row and a lost ball on No. 10, resulting in a 74.
“It was an emotional moment being clapped on the first tee,” Harrington said, “but then I calmed down and kind of lost my way on the greens. It just ate into my game. I felt like I could have played better.”
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