Seamus Power leads FedEx St Jude Classic from Mickelson and Koepka
Monday 11 June 2018 00:47, UK
Seamus Power claimed the outright lead in tough conditions on the opening day of the FedEx St Jude Classic as Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka also enjoyed bright starts.
Power birdied two of the last three holes to cap a five-under 65 to claim the early clubhouse lead at TPC Southwind in Memphis, and his score held up for the remainder of the day despite 11 players all getting to four under par.
The Irish Olympian, who was disqualified from the Fort Worth Invitational last month after signing for an incorrect scorecard, birdied three of the first five holes while making his only bogey of the day at the fourth.
Power picked up another shot at the short 11th, and his excellent finish was enough to ensure the overnight lead ahead of the logjam in a share of second which included Mickelson and Koepka.
Mickelson eagled the third and made three other birdies as he looks to fine-tune his game ahead of his latest bid to complete a career grand slam of majors in next week's US Open.
US Open holder Koepka had been a doubtful starter for the defence of his title after being sidelined by a wrist injury for almost four months earlier this year, but he has looked sharp in his last three starts after following a tie-for-11th at The Players Championship with a runner-up finish at Colonial.
The American powerhouse enjoyed a run of four consecutive birdies mid-round which lifted him alongside Power on five under, but Koepka then three-putted the seventh - his 16th - to drop into the group tied for second which also includes veterans Steve Stricker and Stuart Appleby.
Dustin Johnson's bid to reclaim the world No 1 ranking from Justin Thomas got off to a solid start as he opened with a 67 despite a double-bogey at the ninth, from which he recovered with a remarkable chip-in birdie at the 12th while standing with one foot in the water.
Retief Goosen is not in the field for the second major of the season next week despite winning his second US Open the last time it was played at Shinnecock Hills in 2004, but he kept himself in the hunt to qualify as he matched Johnson's three-under opener.
Henrik Stenson is one stroke further off the pace along with Padraig Harrington, but it was a tough day for Harrington's Irish compatriot Shane Lowry as he dropped four shots in only three holes on the back nine and stumbled to a 72.
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