US TOUR: Phil Mickelson rebounded from his final hole flop at last month's US Open with an eagle on his last hole yesterday for a four-under-par 67 that put him one shot off the early lead at the Western Open at Cog Hill, Lemont, Illinois.

Mickelson nearly had a double-eagle on the 600-yard par-five ninth when his four-wood approach from 271 yards slid over the right edge.

He rolled in his eight-foot putt for eagle to complete his round one shot behind Lucas Glover and Joe Ogilvie.

CHALLENGE TOUR: Brian McElinney the links golf skill that made him last year's British Amateur champion to post the best round of the day from the Irish Challenge Tour contingent at the opening round of the €200,000 Scottish Challenge at Murcar Links Golf Club.

The Donegal professional posted a one-under-par 70 to trail leader Klas Eriksson of Sweden by five shots.