Published>Fri, Aug 06 10 08:05 AM
Playing partners Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy formed their own mutual admiration society as they charged into contention at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Thursday.
World number two Mickelson fired an opening round four-under-par 66 and eighth-ranked McIlroy began with a 68, both of them recovering from untidy starts with sparkling runs after the turn.
"We fed off each other on the back nine," Northern Irishman McIlroy told reporters after coming home in three-under 32. "Phil played a couple of great shots and chipped in on the sixth hole, which was one of the best shots I've seen all year.
"He struggled early on but had a great finish. He's a great player and that's what great players do. They hang in there and make a score out of something that wasn't necessarily there."
American left-hander Mickelson holed out with a lob wedge from 50 feet right of the green at the par-four sixth as he covered his first nine holes in a sizzling five-under 30.
The four-times major winner, who clinched his first World Golf Championships title at last year's WGC-CA Championship in Miami, said he always relished McIlroy's company despite their age difference.
"I do enjoy playing with Rory," the 40-year-old added. "He's fun, he's interesting and he's a smart guy so we always have intelligent conversation."
Both players are installing state-of-the-art practice facilities at their respective homes, and this was among the various topics they discussed together at Firestone Country Club on Thursday.
"He's really got a great demeanour, always upbeat and great to be around, not to mention his talent," said Masters champion Mickelson. "We get to play together again tomorrow."
McIlroy shot a course record 10-under 62 to win his maiden PGA Tour title at the Quail Hollow Championship in May and Mickelson has become an unabashed fan of the 21-year-old's game.
"I look at the guys today who are young, in their teens and 20s -- Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Ryo Ishikawa and some of these other young kids," Mickelson said.
"Their ball striking is so superior to where myself or other players of my age were at when we were in our teens and 20s. Their ball striking is just extremely impressive."
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