• PGA Tour

Mickelson may lose No. 1 chance after 'terrible' showing

ESPN staff
May 28, 2010
Phil Mickelson struggled with the irons at Colonial © Getty Images
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Phil Mickelson fears he has lost the chance of moving to No. 1 in the world after striking the ball 'terribly' during the first round at the Crowne Plaza Invitational.

Mickelson, who will displace Tiger Woods at the top of the rankings if he wins the event at Colonial, finished day one eight shots off the lead at one over par.

Following a round that featured a double-bogey at the seventh, Mickelson was critical in his assessment of his performance - and vowed to get in some practice prior to his second-round tee-off.

"I played well the first four holes and the last 14 I hit the ball terrible so I will have some work to do," Mickelson said. "I hit it sideways off the tee, I hit terrible iron shots. Fortunately, I actually putted decent today or else it could have been a lot worse.

"The golf course has been in perfect shape and there are a lot of scores out there. I just wasn't one of them. I have an idea of what I've been doing. I will try to get out here a little early and get a practice session if it's not too hot and see if I can get it turned around."

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