It was a pretty good day for the tournament’s “Ambassador” Thursday at the CareerBuilder.
Phil Mickelson was thrilled, elated with an opening 68 that put him just four shots off the pace set by little-known rookie Dominic Bozelli, a former Auburn golfer. Bozelli shot 64 at the Stadium Course. He was a shot better than the foursome of Patton Kizzire, Hudson Swafford, Jhonny Vegas and Harold Varner III.
“I thought it was phenomenal,” Mickelson said after getting off to a fast start over his first nine holes. “I struck it horrible but I scrambled out of my mind so I’m very happy with it,” he said after a five-birdie, one-bogey performance that saw him get up-and-down six out of the seven times he missed greens at LaQuinta.
Varner, who won for the first time as a pro in Australia last winter, shot his 65 at LaQuinta while Kizzire’s came on the Nicklaus Tournament course. Swafford, who was in contention for 54-hole at the Sony last week, played at LaQuinta. Vegas played the Nicklaus Tournament layout.
Defending champion Jason Dufner will be playing catch-up for the rest of the week after opening with a less-than-stellar 71 at LaQuinta.
Tee times were delayed by rain on Thursday in Palm Springs and more rain was expected for Friday’s second round.
