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Tournaments

Here’s what you missed from Round 1 of the Shriners

Jessica MarksburyBy Jessica Marksbury
October 4, 2019

Part two of the two-week west coast fall season swing is upon us, as the Tour tees up at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, just outside of glitzy Las Vegas.

Last week’s winner Cameron Champ is on hand, as are other big names like Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Adam Scott. Here’s everything you missed from Thursday’s action at TPC Summerlin.

Nick Taylor leads

Nick Taylor, a 31-year-old Canadian pro, made six birdies and an eagle (a 2 on the 314-yard par-4 15th) to finish with a 63 — eight under par, and one shot clear of Brian Harman, who is in solo second.

Taylor has one PGA Tour win on his resume: the 2015 Sanderson Farms Championship. His best finish on Tour this season is T10 at last week’s Safeway Open.

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Phil Mickelson had a really good day

Mickelson has had a tough time on Tour over the last few months, with six missed cuts in his last 11 PGA Tour starts, and during that time, a T48 was his best finish in the events where he did play the weekend. His recent results have been a far cry from the way he began his 2019 campaign, with a runner-up and a win in the span of a few weeks in January and February.

But perhaps Phil’s recent struggles are now in the rearview mirror, because he posted an impressive round of 65 on Thursday — that’s six under par. Phil’s round included seven birdies and only one bogey, leaving him only two shots shy of the first-round lead.

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How did Brooks play?

The reigning World No. 1 had an up-and-down day, with five birdies and four bogeys to finish with a one-under-par 70. Hes currently seven shots behind the leader, and he may even need to hustle a bit on Friday if he wants to make the cut.

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How did the other big names play?

Adam Scott, Patrick Cantlay and Bryson DeChambeau shot first rounds of five-under-par 66. They’re currently three back.

Young studs Collin Morikawa and Matthew Wolff are four back after opening 67s.

Tony Finau and Hideki Matsuyama shot 68s, Keegan Bradley and Gary Woodland shot 69s, and Bubba Watson and Cameron Champ shots 70s.

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