The superstar group of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Bubba Watson have completed the "front 10" of their first round at The Olympic Club. The group has played with varying form, with Phil Mickelson's struggles the most notable takeaway from their Thursday start. Coming off a disastrous first round at the Memorial, Lefty has looked lost again on the front side -- hitting it wild off the tee, striking unsharp irons into greens, and most unexpectedly struggling with his short game in spots. He is 4-over through 10 holes, and that includes a birdie he carded at the par-3 13th.
Woods, meanwhile, continued his steady play and picked up a birdie on the par-5 17th. He has said players will have to pick up red numbers over the final three holes if they want to contend. While Phil dealt with the severe shaved run-off area on the right side of the green, Woods cleaned up his birdie on the short par-5. He is even-par through ten holes.
The current leader is South African Branden Grace, who made the turn to the treacherous first six holes at 3-under. He is one of only ten players in red figures. Those first six are currently playing almost 3-over par, so Mickelson will have to hang on for dear life or else his hopes of making the weekend will be gone.
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