Keith Mitchell co-leads in Houston despite absolutely stupid mistake

Mitchell Shares Houston Open Lead After Strong Start

Keith Mitchell fired a 5-under 65 Thursday at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, sharing the first-round lead with Alejandro Tosti, Ryan Gerard and Taylor Pendrith. It’s the fifth time in eight starts this year that Mitchell has opened with a 68 or better.

His day didn’t start perfectly, though. Mitchell made a bogey at the par-4 first hole after what he called “an absolutely stupid mistake.” Despite finding the middle of the fairway, his approach from 203 yards missed the green by about 35 yards right, landing in a greenside bunker.

“It was lift, clean and place, and didn’t clean it,” Mitchell explained afterward. “I kind of had a mud ball and shot it dead right, so my caddie gave me a hard time and made fun of me a little bit, which I deserve it.”

Mitchell couldn’t save par after his bunker shot came up 10 feet short. But that early setback didn’t derail him – he played his remaining holes in 6-under.

Now comes the tricky part. Despite his consistently strong starts this season, Mitchell hasn’t translated those into weekend success. He’s yet to crack the top 20 in his first seven events of the year.

When asked what he might do differently this week to improve his finishing position, Mitchell kept it simple: “Play better Friday through Sunday.”

And, if permitted, remember to clean the mud off his ball.