GOLF U.S. AMATEUR : Mickelson Sets Qualifying Mark

DENVER — Phil Mickelson of San Diego set a U.S. Amateur qualifying record with an eight-under-par 64 Wednesday to comfortably win medalist honors as the tournament headed into its match-play segment.

Mickelson, a junior at Arizona State, birdied eight holes at Meridian Golf Club for a 36-hole qualifying total of 135. He had an even-par 71 on Tuesday at Cherry Hills Country Club despite a quadruple-bogey seven on the par-three 15th hole, where he left his second shot in the sand and four-putted.

At 137, two strokes back, stood Richard Holland, a mortgage loan officer from Washington, D.C., who celebrated his 30th birthday with a 67 at Meridian. Perry Moss, a senior-to-be at LSU, was at 138. Moss, from Shreveport, La., had two 69s.

Former PGA Tour player David Eger, who was reinstated as an amateur in 1986, had a 68 for a 140 total.

Two-time amateur champion Jay Sigel was in a group at 141 after a 69, and defending champion Chris Patton shot 72 for a 143 total, along with first-round qualifying leader Chip Stewart, who slipped to a 75 after an opening 68.

Sixty-four players advance to today’s opening round of match play at Cherry Hills.