SAN ANTONIO — Before Jordan Spieth announced he’d be playing the Valero Texas Open, the biggest draw in the field was Phil Mickelson.
On Thursday, that big draw put up a mighty big score.
Between a pair of penalties and some rough bounces, Mickelson tied his second-highest score on a PGA Tour hole, finishing with a 10 and ending the day at 79.
The par-5 closing hole at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course has a creek that runs along the right side of the green and down through the fairway. Mickelson, who bombed a drive 306 yards into a perfect position, tried to reach the green in two, but just missed as his ball bounced into the creek.
And that was just the beginning.
Phil Mickelson recorded a 10 on the 18th hole tying his second highest score on TOUR. pic.twitter.com/fxyX7IMDq1
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 1, 2021
After taking a penalty, Mickelson’s fourth shot came up short and rolled back into the rough below the green. His fifth failed to get on the green as did his sixth. His seventh shot hit the rock facade and rolled back behind him into a hazard. Another penalty ensued and Mickelson then ran one to the back of the green.
In typical Phil fashion, he then buried a tricky 15-foot putt to make 10.
Is it something about pre-Masters tournaments in Texas? Back in November at the Vivint Houston Open, which was also the week before Augusta, Mickelson’s final round included an 8 on the 9th hole, the highest score he has ever recorded on a par 3.
Mickelson’s highest number in Tour play came at Pebble Beach in 2008 when he scored an 11. He also posted scores of 10 in both the 2018 U.S. Open and 2000 Arnold Palmer Invitational.