Phil Mickelson on top after sizzling 63

PHIL Mickelson shot to the top of the Deutsche Bank Championship leaderboard at the halfway stage of day one following a breathtaking eight-under-par 63.

The Open champion, fourth in the FedEx Cup standings, was on course to card a magical 59 after opening his round on the back nine with seven birdies to reach the turn on 28.

While the left-hander, who opened with a round of 60 at the Phoenix Open earlier this year, bogeyed the first, he then eagled the next after landing his second shot to two feet from the pin. However, a run of pars followed before the American finished birdie-bogey at TPC in Boston.

It was still enough for a one-shot clubhouse lead over compatriot Kevin Stadler, who made eight birdies and one bogey in his round of 64.

World No 1 Tiger Woods and Masters champion Adam Scott were in the same playing group as Mickelson. Woods struck a 68 but Scott was off the pace after a two-over-par round.

Hunter Mahan is currently just behind countrymen Mickelson and Stadler after a six-under-par round, while England’s Lee Westwood is in a group of nine players one shot further back.