Playing first tournament round ever without a driver, Phil Mickelson deserves credit for keeping U.S. Open dream alive with even par 71

LA JOLLA, Calif. - Shortly after scrambling back for a first round even par 71 in his dream U.S. Open, Phil Mickelson admitted that this is the first time he’s ever not had a driver in his bag during any pro tournament round. It’s also the first time he ever had a hybrid in his bag.

But Phil insists - it’s a well-thought-out, sound game plan - and he will stick with the no-driver strategy as long as it doesn’t rain at Torrey Pines. If the fairways aren’t softened by water, Mickelson says he’s sticking with his 3-wood or hybrid off every tee and not even carrying a driver.

“I only want to hit it a certain distance and I don’t want to hit it past a certain distance,” Mickelson said. “That’s my game plan.”

It’s a game plan that continues to show Phil’s ever-increasing wedge obsession. He carried four wedges in his bag during the first round - which is actually one less than the five he’s used in some tournaments this year. Phil refuses to limit himself to only three wedges.

You have to love Phil. He may be something of a loon, but he still played some clutch golf down the stretch today to keep himself very much in this Open.