Phil Mickelson got a horrible break early at the 2025 Open Championship but saved himself with a bunker hole-out to briefly take the lead.

Phil Mickelson didn’t make a bogey over his first nine holes Thursday at The Open, assisted by a hole-out par save at the third. The 2013 Open champion hit his tee shot into a greenside bunker on the 167-yard, par 3 hole. After leaving his second shot in there, he holed his third.

Phil Mickelson was flying high on Thursday at Royal Portrush, posting a solid 1-under 70 at the opening round of the 153rd British Open.