Phil Mickelson, Cam Smith Miss Cut; Abe Ancer Leads at Saudi International

Author:
Gabrielle Herzig
Publish date:
Feb 3, 2023

LIV Golf members are finding both success and difficulty at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, host of this week’s Saudi International.

After a blustery day, Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith and Bubba Watson were among the notable players to fall short of the even-par cutline. Mexico’s Abraham Ancer holds a one-shot lead through two rounds.

“I’m very pleased the way I’ve been rolling it and hitting it off the tee,” Ancer said. “My iron play has been pretty good, so I’m happy with my game.”

Cameron Young, the 2022 PGA Tour rookie of the year, fired off back-to-back 65s and trails Ancer by one shot at 10 under for the tournament. Young received a special player release from the PGA Tour to compete in the Middle East event, which is sponsored by the same fund that backs LIV Golf—Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

“I'd say I think my iron play has been very good,” Young said. “I've driven it nicely, too, but I haven't been in every fairway. But I think I've controlled my ball really well into the greens and given myself probably more opportunities for birdie than most guys have had out here.”

Mickelson came into the week feeling optimistic about his game, and he showed up to the tournament looking noticeably slimmer. Earlier this week, Mickelson told Sports Illustrated that he was down to his “college weight” and felt stronger than ever.

“It's night and day,” Mickelson said on Tuesday. “I have to look at last year as an anomaly and just let it go. I wasn't ready to play at the start, I wasn't ready to play during, and this off-season I'm ready to play. I've been playing really well at home, and I'm ready to bring my game back out here and compete.”

Mickelson’s play in Saudi didn’t quite line up with his expectations, as the two-time Masters champion missed the cut by one shot with rounds of 70 and 71.

Mickelson and the rest of the LIV Golf members will make their next start in Mexico from February 24-26 for the first event of the Saudi-backed league’s season.