Friday at Deutsche Bank Championships-Mickelson, Davis Jump Out to Early Leads

Phil Mickelson started out thinking he was on the verge of making history, but then he just settled in for another solid round in a year full of them.

Playing the back nine to start Friday, Mickelson had seven birdies on his way to a 28. Unfortunately, the back nine was a different story as he was one under for a 35 to finish the first day tied with Brian Davis at an 8 under 63. Kevin Stadler is third with a 7-under 64.

After the left-hander post his back nine score, the Golf Channel cut into its regular coverage to capture possible history. 

As they joined in, Mickelson missed a shot and gave up the idea of making history. 

"When I didn't birdie No. 4, I stopped thinking about it," said Mickelson. "I started just trying to get one or two more (birdies) to shoot a low round in the 60s."

After the British Open, Mickelson said he was tired and off his game, but he rebounded for a strong finish at the Barclays in the final round.

"My game clicked again last week and I feel like these three next weeks I'm going to play very well,." he said. "I can just feel it. You can tell sometimes. The game feels sharp and mentally, I have a lot of energy and I'm able to focus clearly and that's usually when you play well."

After a few days at home, which included taking his daughter, Amanda, to her first day of high school, Mickelson felt refreshed when he got on the TPC-Boston course.

"It's a big change to see how quickly it has gone and for her to be starting high school and in four years off to college" said Mickelson. "I was glad I was able to be at home for that. 

"I was able to practice every day. I spent time in my yard getting my iron play and putting and so forth. I didn't want to take any days off, because we were starting up again so soon that I practiced every day.

For his entire round, Mickelson felt he only had two bad shots, one at the first hole and another at the ninth hole.

"It's a fun day was you play so well," said Mickelson. "I felt really good striking the ball and I was making putts. Those rounds are fun."

Tiger, Bear Sightings in Norton

Tiger Woods is battling a bad back and struggled with it in the final round of the Barclays last Sunday. While most tournaments start play on Thursday and finish Sunday, Deutsche Bank is on a Friday-Monday schedule and the extra day off this week helped Woods.

"I've gotten treatment every day, two or three times a day and it feels good," said Woods. He said he had no issues while playing 18 holes in the Pro-Am. "I was only going to play nine holes and chip and putt the back nine like I did at Barclays, but it felt good so I continued playing."

After his round on Friday, Woods said his back felt fine as he finished with a 68.

"It was decent today," he said. "I didn't hit the ball as well as I'd like to, but overall, it could be a little better for sure."

Getting back to TPC-Boston was something Woods had been looking forward to. The Tiger Woods Foundation benefits from the Deutsche Bank Championship.

"This is one of my favorite tournaments," said Woods. "The crowds here are incredible here, great sporting town."

Woods makes sure he takes in the Boston sports scene and was on hand for the Patriots-Giants game Thursday, visiting with owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick. He was expected to be in Boston Friday night for the Red Sox-White Sox as the Red Sox were honoring the Tiger Woods Foundation Scholars Program. 

Boston Bruin winger Shawn Thornton was a visitor to the media center, signing golf flags. He is an avid golfer and took part in the Pro-Am.

The good and the bad for Chris Kirk

Good thing Chris Kirk likes being in Norton. If he didn't, there sure would be good reasons to have mixed emotions about TPC-Boston..

"I do love the golf course here and all the people here at the tournament are always really great, really nice to me and my wife and my son," said Kirk. "And I know they enjoy being here."

Kirk shot a 66 Friday, but even that had an adventurous experience on the 18th hole. After starting on No. 10, Sea Island, GA resident was cruising along with four birdies and four pars, until he reached the 18th hole. That's when he ran into his only trouble of the day, shooting a seven on the par four hole.

"(I) ended up trying to chop it there and ended up hitting it over the green the other way," he said. "I was in a bad position and it kept getting worse."

But, Kirk didn't let it phase him.

"Somehow I was able to see it with a little better attitude than I normally would have and get right back out."

Last year, Kirk shot a an eight-under the first day, but then went 5-over for the final two rounds to be eliminated from the FedEx Cup.