Mickelson off to a flyer

Apr 12 2009

Phil Mickelson launched his bid for one of the greatest comebacks in Masters history with four birdies in his first six holes at Augusta National - all of them witnessed by Tiger Woods.

And if it does lead to the left-hander winning his third green jacket it might also give him the world No 1 spot for the first time in his career.

Seven behind leaders Kenny Perry and Angel Cabrera overnight, Woods and Mickelson were desperate to pick up early shots that would make their presence felt.

They started with par fours, but both were highly eventful and far from impressive. Woods pulled his drive into the left-hand trees and the ball then flew not just onto the adjoining ninth fairway, but right the way across it onto the eighth hole.

That was roughly 100 yards off target, but he got up and down from off the green to remain four under.

Mickelson, meanwhile, went right into the trees, conjured up a great recovery to 12 feet, but totally misread the putt down the slope and was relieved not to bogey.

Both birdied the long second as might have been expected before Mickelson pitched to four feet at the next, holed from 10 feet at the tricky fifth and then struck his tee shot to within five feet of the flag at the short sixth.

He was up to eight under, had improved from 10th place to joint fourth and was only three behind Cabrera and Perry, who had both just parred the first.

Woods was five under, six back and only joint 11th.