The brother of Florida child murder suspect Casey Anthony acknowledged Thursday that he tried to coax information out of his sister during jailhouse visits, but denied police put him up to it.
During a videotaped jailhouse conversation shortly after his sister's arrest, Lee Anthony promised to keep secret any letter she sent him while she was being held in connection with the disappearance of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee.
"(Did) you tell your sister that if she gives you a letter through this letter system, that you won't share it with anyone if she doesn't want you to?" defense attorney Jose Baez asked Lee Anthony during the pretrial hearing Thursday. "And say that to her from brother to sister?" Lee Anthony told Baez he had.
"Were you lying?" Baez asked.
"Maybe," Anthony said, as his sister looked away with a shrug. But Anthony said he was only trying to help find Caylee, whose body was found five months after her reported disappearance, and that police never forced him to do anything.
Casey Anthony is charged with capital murder in the girl's death. Defense lawyers are asking a judge to throw out all statements she made to police, arguing that police failed to read her her rights when she was first arrested and that investigators tried to coax statements out of her through her relatives.
Her brother, father and mother have all testified during the latest two days of pretrial hearings, with her father alternately tearing up and sparring with prosecutors during Thursday's session.
"I don't know why you're going in this direction, because right now, I wish you could change places with me," George Anthony, Casey's father, told prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick at one point. When Burdick objected to being challenged by the witness, he shot back, "I will challenge you."
When Circuit Judge Belvin Perry told George Anthony to stick to answering questions, George Anthony replied, "This is a very emotional time, sir." Asked if he needed a recess, he said, "I'm fine. I just want to get this over with."
Wednesday, Orange County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Eberlin said he handcuffed Anthony after he arrived at her parents' home following three 911 calls from the defendant's mother, Cindy Anthony. Cindy Anthony has said she called police to accuse her daughter of theft after learning her granddaughter had been missing for a month, hoping to get her daughter thrown in jail in hopes of finding out what happened.
Prosecutors argue that all questioning was voluntary and that Anthony was free to leave if she wanted. Eberlin testified Anthony was only cuffed for about four to five minutes, when a supervisor told him to release her. Sheriff's Cpl. Yuri Melich said he had "no reason" to read Anthony her rights, because "she was the mother of a missing child."
"She wasn't being interrogated as a suspect of a crime," Melich said. "We were still investigating where her daughter was."

The brother of Florida child murder suspect Casey Anthony acknowledged Thursday that he tried to coax information out of his sister during jailhouse visits, but denied police put him up to it.
During a videotaped jailhouse conversation shortly after his sister's arrest, Lee Anthony promised to keep secret any letter she sent him while she was being held in connection with the disappearance of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee.
"(Did) you tell your sister that if she gives you a letter through this letter system, that you won't share it with anyone if she doesn't want you to?" defense attorney Jose Baez asked Lee Anthony during the pretrial hearing Thursday. "And say that to her from brother to sister?" Lee Anthony told Baez he had.
"Were you lying?" Baez asked.
"Maybe," Anthony said, as his sister looked away with a shrug. But Anthony said he was only trying to help find Caylee, whose body was found five months after her reported disappearance, and that police never forced him to do anything.
Casey Anthony is charged with capital murder in the girl's death. Defense lawyers are asking a judge to throw out all statements she made to police, arguing that police failed to read her her rights when she was first arrested and that investigators tried to coax statements out of her through her relatives.
Her brother, father and mother have all testified during the latest two days of pretrial hearings, with her father alternately tearing up and sparring with prosecutors during Thursday's session.
"I don't know why you're going in this direction, because right now, I wish you could change places with me," George Anthony, Casey's father, told prosecutor Linda Drane Burdick at one point. When Burdick objected to being challenged by the witness, he shot back, "I will challenge you."
When Circuit Judge Belvin Perry told George Anthony to stick to answering questions, George Anthony replied, "This is a very emotional time, sir." Asked if he needed a recess, he said, "I'm fine. I just want to get this over with."
Wednesday, Orange County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Eberlin said he handcuffed Anthony after he arrived at her parents' home following three 911 calls from the defendant's mother, Cindy Anthony. Cindy Anthony has said she called police to accuse her daughter of theft after learning her granddaughter had been missing for a month, hoping to get her daughter thrown in jail in hopes of finding out what happened.
Prosecutors argue that all questioning was voluntary and that Anthony was free to leave if she wanted. Eberlin testified Anthony was only cuffed for about four to five minutes, when a supervisor told him to release her. Sheriff's Cpl. Yuri Melich said he had "no reason" to read Anthony her rights, because "she was the mother of a missing child."
"She wasn't being interrogated as a suspect of a crime," Melich said. "We were still investigating where her daughter was."

World Extreme Cagefighting® hits Arizona for the first time on Thursday, Dec. 16 with two explosive world title fights at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale. This historic night features Glendale’s Ben Henderson defending the lightweight crown against 23-year-old superstar Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, while Tucson-born Dominick Cruz defends the bantamweight title against Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen.

With two of the most anticipated title fights of the year headlining the card, WEC’s debut in Arizona closes 2010 with a bang.

“Arizona deserved a card like this after winning the Amp Energy Hometown Takedown contest,” WEC General Manager Reed Harris said. “Fans in the Phoenix market voted for over two months and beat out 30 other cities to bring WEC to their area. Now, we are bringing fans two awesome title fights to Jobing.com Arena. Glendale’s Ben Henderson will face the stiffest test of his career in Anthony Pettis. Plus, Cruz-Jorgensen has the chance to be one of the greatest bantamweight title fights of all time. We cannot wait for this event in Glendale.”

Tickets for WEC: Henderson vs. Pettis go on sale Thursday, Sept. 30 at 12 p.m. PT and will be priced at $165, $135, $65 and $35. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to WEC newsletter subscribers on Wednesday, Sept. 29 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the WEC newsletter through wec.tv. Tickets can be purchased at the Jobing.com Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 800.745.3000 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com and www.JobingArena.com. Tickets are subject to applicable service charges.

Henderson vs. Pettis will be televised nationally live on VERSUS beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. All of the network’s live WEC events are presented in HD and Spanish language SAP where available. For more information and how to find VERSUS in your local viewing area, visit http://www.versus.com/findversus.

Unbeaten in WEC at 5-0, Ben “Smooth” Henderson (fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) has become one of the most dominant champions in company history. With victories over Anthony Njokuani, Shane Roller, Jamie Varner and Donald Cerrone (twice), the 26-year-old Henderson (12-1) has his sights set on beating the rising star Pettis on Dec. 16. Knowing that he’ll be defending the title on his home turf only further motivates the champion.

“I’m very excited to fight in front of my friends and family in Glendale,” Henderson said. “Pettis brings high-energy and good skill set to the table. He’s dynamic and tough, and he showed a lot of heart and grit by tapping out Shane Roller with a triangle in his last fight. If he wants it, let’s find out who the better man is on Dec. 16.”

Known for his fiery striking and fluid jiu jitsu skills, Anthony Pettis (fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) has taken the sport by storm since debuting in WEC last June. With four victories in the organization, including a submission win over Shane Roller in Aug., “Showtime” has become one of the most feared lightweights in the world. Pettis (12-1), who was featured on MTV’s hit show “World of Jenks” this month, is ready to capture his first world title and realize a lifelong dream.

“I love the matchup,” Pettis said. “Ben Henderson is at the top of the division and that’s where I want to be. He’s a well-rounded fighter who brings it every time. Neither of us quit so it’s going to be an interesting fight. I’m going to be ready for everything and anything.”

The most dynamic striker in 135-pound history returns for his second title defense on Dec. 16. Tucson-born Dominick Cruz (fighting out of San Diego, Calif.), who has never lost a fight in the bantamweight division, locks horns with Scott Jorgensen in Arizona. The 25-year-old known for his fast feet and crisp striking plans on being ready for all that his wrestling-savvy opponent offers this December.

“He’s a strong, powerful guy with great wrestling ability,” Cruz, 16-1, said. “But his winning streak means nothing to me because I’m on a streak myself. He’s got a different matchup with me and I’m excited to put an end to his streak. I’ve got nothing but respect for the guy, he’s a great fighter, but I’m going to be better that night.”

With five straight victories, perhaps no fighter has more momentum than Scott Jorgensen (fighting out of Boise, Idaho). After defeating rugged Englishman Brad Pickett in a Fight of the Year candidate in Aug., the 27-year-old Boise State University wrestling standout finally cemented his place as number one contender in the bantamweight division. Now Jorgensen (11-3) has a chance to wear WEC gold, an opportunity he plans to take full advantage of come Dec. 16.

“I’m going to beat him down for 25 minutes,” Jorgensen said. “I want to fight for five rounds because I’m a grinder, that’s what I do. That’s a scary thing for Dominick to face. He’s never had an opponent that is built like me and has the mindset that I’ve got. He’s in for a rude awakening when he gets in that cage with me. He’s never felt the pressure that I’m going to bring.”

Remaining bouts for WEC: Henderson vs. Pettis will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.wec.tv. Follow WEC at http://twitter.com/WEConVERSUS.

About World Extreme Cagefighting®

The WEC brand is recognized as one of the premier mixed martial arts organizations in the United States. WEC, founded in 2001, is the sister organization of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® and today features the most prominent light weight fighters in the world. Owned and operated by WEC Holdings LLC., and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., the WEC produces live and taped events annually that are distributed through the Versus network.WEC programming is also available on Fox Sports en Espanol. In addition to its U.S distribution, WEC programming is shown on The Score network in Canada, Setanta Sports in Australia, Globosat in Brazil, and Cadena Tres in Mexico. For more information and current WEC fight news, visit wec.tv. World Extreme Cagefighting® and WEC® are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by WEC Holdings, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions and are licensed to WEC Productions, LLC.

About VERSUS:

VERSUS, the fastest growing sports cable network in the country, prides itself on super-serving passionate sports fans across all platforms (VERSUS.com, VERSUS on Demand and VERSUS HD). Now in more than 75 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the National Hockey League (NHL), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Professional Bull Riders (PBR). VERSUS also airs NASCAR, NBA, UFC, college football and college basketball programming. The network is home to the best outdoor programming on television and airs original programs not available anywhere else, including The Daily Line and Sports Soup. VERSUS, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

About Jobing.com Arena

Jobing.com Arena, Arizona’s Premiere Sports & Entertainment Facility, is home to the National Hockey League Phoenix Coyotes. The award winning, state-of-the art, multi-purpose facility hosts national and international chart topping recording artists, variety of sporting events and exciting family shows each year. Jobing.com Arena is located at the 101 & Glendale Avenue.

World Extreme Cagefighting® hits Arizona for the first time on Thursday, Dec. 16 with two explosive world title fights at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale. This historic night features Glendale’s Ben Henderson defending the lightweight crown against 23-year-old superstar Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, while Tucson-born Dominick Cruz defends the bantamweight title against Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen.

With two of the most anticipated title fights of the year headlining the card, WEC’s debut in Arizona closes 2010 with a bang.

“Arizona deserved a card like this after winning the Amp Energy Hometown Takedown contest,” WEC General Manager Reed Harris said. “Fans in the Phoenix market voted for over two months and beat out 30 other cities to bring WEC to their area. Now, we are bringing fans two awesome title fights to Jobing.com Arena. Glendale’s Ben Henderson will face the stiffest test of his career in Anthony Pettis. Plus, Cruz-Jorgensen has the chance to be one of the greatest bantamweight title fights of all time. We cannot wait for this event in Glendale.”

Tickets for WEC: Henderson vs. Pettis go on sale Thursday, Sept. 30 at 12 p.m. PT and will be priced at $165, $135, $65 and $35. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to WEC newsletter subscribers on Wednesday, Sept. 29 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the WEC newsletter through wec.tv. Tickets can be purchased at the Jobing.com Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 800.745.3000 or online at www.Ticketmaster.com and www.JobingArena.com. Tickets are subject to applicable service charges.

Henderson vs. Pettis will be televised nationally live on VERSUS beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. All of the network’s live WEC events are presented in HD and Spanish language SAP where available. For more information and how to find VERSUS in your local viewing area, visit http://www.versus.com/findversus.

Unbeaten in WEC at 5-0, Ben “Smooth” Henderson (fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) has become one of the most dominant champions in company history. With victories over Anthony Njokuani, Shane Roller, Jamie Varner and Donald Cerrone (twice), the 26-year-old Henderson (12-1) has his sights set on beating the rising star Pettis on Dec. 16. Knowing that he’ll be defending the title on his home turf only further motivates the champion.

“I’m very excited to fight in front of my friends and family in Glendale,” Henderson said. “Pettis brings high-energy and good skill set to the table. He’s dynamic and tough, and he showed a lot of heart and grit by tapping out Shane Roller with a triangle in his last fight. If he wants it, let’s find out who the better man is on Dec. 16.”

Known for his fiery striking and fluid jiu jitsu skills, Anthony Pettis (fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) has taken the sport by storm since debuting in WEC last June. With four victories in the organization, including a submission win over Shane Roller in Aug., “Showtime” has become one of the most feared lightweights in the world. Pettis (12-1), who was featured on MTV’s hit show “World of Jenks” this month, is ready to capture his first world title and realize a lifelong dream.

“I love the matchup,” Pettis said. “Ben Henderson is at the top of the division and that’s where I want to be. He’s a well-rounded fighter who brings it every time. Neither of us quit so it’s going to be an interesting fight. I’m going to be ready for everything and anything.”

The most dynamic striker in 135-pound history returns for his second title defense on Dec. 16. Tucson-born Dominick Cruz (fighting out of San Diego, Calif.), who has never lost a fight in the bantamweight division, locks horns with Scott Jorgensen in Arizona. The 25-year-old known for his fast feet and crisp striking plans on being ready for all that his wrestling-savvy opponent offers this December.

“He’s a strong, powerful guy with great wrestling ability,” Cruz, 16-1, said. “But his winning streak means nothing to me because I’m on a streak myself. He’s got a different matchup with me and I’m excited to put an end to his streak. I’ve got nothing but respect for the guy, he’s a great fighter, but I’m going to be better that night.”

With five straight victories, perhaps no fighter has more momentum than Scott Jorgensen (fighting out of Boise, Idaho). After defeating rugged Englishman Brad Pickett in a Fight of the Year candidate in Aug., the 27-year-old Boise State University wrestling standout finally cemented his place as number one contender in the bantamweight division. Now Jorgensen (11-3) has a chance to wear WEC gold, an opportunity he plans to take full advantage of come Dec. 16.

“I’m going to beat him down for 25 minutes,” Jorgensen said. “I want to fight for five rounds because I’m a grinder, that’s what I do. That’s a scary thing for Dominick to face. He’s never had an opponent that is built like me and has the mindset that I’ve got. He’s in for a rude awakening when he gets in that cage with me. He’s never felt the pressure that I’m going to bring.”

Remaining bouts for WEC: Henderson vs. Pettis will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.wec.tv. Follow WEC at http://twitter.com/WEConVERSUS.

About World Extreme Cagefighting®

The WEC brand is recognized as one of the premier mixed martial arts organizations in the United States. WEC, founded in 2001, is the sister organization of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® and today features the most prominent light weight fighters in the world. Owned and operated by WEC Holdings LLC., and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., the WEC produces live and taped events annually that are distributed through the Versus network.WEC programming is also available on Fox Sports en Espanol. In addition to its U.S distribution, WEC programming is shown on The Score network in Canada, Setanta Sports in Australia, Globosat in Brazil, and Cadena Tres in Mexico. For more information and current WEC fight news, visit wec.tv. World Extreme Cagefighting® and WEC® are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by WEC Holdings, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions and are licensed to WEC Productions, LLC.

About VERSUS:

VERSUS, the fastest growing sports cable network in the country, prides itself on super-serving passionate sports fans across all platforms (VERSUS.com, VERSUS on Demand and VERSUS HD). Now in more than 75 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the National Hockey League (NHL), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Professional Bull Riders (PBR). VERSUS also airs NASCAR, NBA, UFC, college football and college basketball programming. The network is home to the best outdoor programming on television and airs original programs not available anywhere else, including The Daily Line and Sports Soup. VERSUS, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

About Jobing.com Arena

Jobing.com Arena, Arizona’s Premiere Sports & Entertainment Facility, is home to the National Hockey League Phoenix Coyotes. The award winning, state-of-the art, multi-purpose facility hosts national and international chart topping recording artists, variety of sporting events and exciting family shows each year. Jobing.com Arena is located at the 101 & Glendale Avenue.

Shrugging off a bad putt on the 72nd hole, Kim parred the first hole of a playoff with Vaughn Taylor to win the Houston Open on Sunday for his third PGA Tour title.
Kim and Taylor were tied at 12-under 276 after Kim missed a 6-foot par putt in regulation on the water-lined 18th hole to settle for a 2-under 70.
Not long ago, Kim said he would've mentally unraveled.
"Two years ago, that bag may have been in the water," Kim said. "I might not have had clubs to go to the playoff. But I just feel calm out there, I feel no sense of urgency. It's something that's happened naturally and not something that's been forced.
"I'm comfortable with who I am out there. I found my identity."
Taylor finished with a 68. He needed a victory to qualify for the Masters next week in his hometown of Augusta, Ga.
"Hugely disappointed," Taylor said. "It's a tough pill to swallow."
Charl Schwartzel (67) and Graham DeLaet (68) finished a stroke back at 11 under. Shaun Micheel (65) was two shots behind and Kevin Stadler (68) and Houston resident Jeff Maggert (70) finished four behind.
The 24-year-old Kim won for the first time since the 2008 AT&T National. He also won the Wachovia Championship in 2008. But after a 2009 highlighted more by injuries than victories, Kim caught himself in a negative spiral that was making things worse.
He finished 39th on the money list after reaching No. 6 in 2008, then re-dedicated himself to his practice routine and worked on his mental approach. And now he heads to the Masters riding four straight top-25 finishes.
"I just look back at last year, after the season was over, I was just complaining about everything," Kim said. "I felt like I deserved to win a golf tournament without trying. That's not how it is.
"I've put in a lot of hard work, so I feel like when I'm out there, I know I'm going to do well. Having that confidence really has propelled my game, I feel like, to a different level."
Kim and Taylor played No. 18 again in the playoff and Kim made a routine 4, two-putting from 30 feet. Taylor hit a bad drive, played out of the greenside bunker and came up short on his 18-foot par putt.
"I was reading it to go just a little left, and I got consumed with the line," Taylor said. "It's a must make. Kind of embarrassing to leave it short."
The event went to a playoff for the second straight year. Paul Casey beat J.B. Holmes last year with a bogey on the first extra hole after Holmes drove into the water.
Taylor played in the group ahead of Kim and forced a playoff with an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. He backpedaled as the ball curved toward the hole and flipped his putter in the air when it dropped.
Kim, who shared the third-round lead with Bryce Molder, birdied the first hole on Sunday and maintained the outright lead until the 18th. He hit his approach into the greenside bunker, blasted out to 6 feet and missed to the right.
He struggled with his tee shots all weekend, but found the fairway on the playoff hole. Taylor hit the bunker on the right off the tee and couldn't recover.
Kim hit only 23 of 56 fairways in four rounds, the fourth-lowest total for a winner since 1983.
"I was in some spots on the golf course I never thought I could possibly see," Kim said. "But I got out of those with pars and birdies and feel very confident going into next week."
Earlier in the day, Phil Mickelson finished 2 under after an eventful 71. He double-bogeyed three of his first 10 holes, then reeled off six straight birdies to match the best streak on tour this year. Matt Every birdied six consecutive holes in Phoenix.
During his hot stretch on the back nine, Mickelson pulled a special guest out of the gallery to carry his bag. Dr. Tom Buchholz, a radiation oncologist at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, is treating Mickelson's wife and mother, Amy and Mary, who were both diagnosed with breast cancer last summer.
Buchholz wasn't totally inexperienced. He was working in the pro shop at the Westchester Country Club after college in 1984 when he caddied for Allen Miller in the PGA Tour's Westchester Classic. Miller tied for 10th.
"It was a story we talked about over the many hours and weeks and months we've been together in the hospital," Mickelson said. "We went 3-for-3, three birdies."
Light rain fell in the morning, but the tournament avoided a weather delay for the first time since 2005.

Shrugging off a bad putt on the 72nd hole, Kim parred the first hole of a playoff with Vaughn Taylor to win the Houston Open on Sunday for his third PGA Tour title.
Kim and Taylor were tied at 12-under 276 after Kim missed a 6-foot par putt in regulation on the water-lined 18th hole to settle for a 2-under 70.
Not long ago, Kim said he would've mentally unraveled.
"Two years ago, that bag may have been in the water," Kim said. "I might not have had clubs to go to the playoff. But I just feel calm out there, I feel no sense of urgency. It's something that's happened naturally and not something that's been forced.
"I'm comfortable with who I am out there. I found my identity."
Taylor finished with a 68. He needed a victory to qualify for the Masters next week in his hometown of Augusta, Ga.
"Hugely disappointed," Taylor said. "It's a tough pill to swallow."
Charl Schwartzel (67) and Graham DeLaet (68) finished a stroke back at 11 under. Shaun Micheel (65) was two shots behind and Kevin Stadler (68) and Houston resident Jeff Maggert (70) finished four behind.
The 24-year-old Kim won for the first time since the 2008 AT&T National. He also won the Wachovia Championship in 2008. But after a 2009 highlighted more by injuries than victories, Kim caught himself in a negative spiral that was making things worse.
He finished 39th on the money list after reaching No. 6 in 2008, then re-dedicated himself to his practice routine and worked on his mental approach. And now he heads to the Masters riding four straight top-25 finishes.
"I just look back at last year, after the season was over, I was just complaining about everything," Kim said. "I felt like I deserved to win a golf tournament without trying. That's not how it is.
"I've put in a lot of hard work, so I feel like when I'm out there, I know I'm going to do well. Having that confidence really has propelled my game, I feel like, to a different level."
Kim and Taylor played No. 18 again in the playoff and Kim made a routine 4, two-putting from 30 feet. Taylor hit a bad drive, played out of the greenside bunker and came up short on his 18-foot par putt.
"I was reading it to go just a little left, and I got consumed with the line," Taylor said. "It's a must make. Kind of embarrassing to leave it short."
The event went to a playoff for the second straight year. Paul Casey beat J.B. Holmes last year with a bogey on the first extra hole after Holmes drove into the water.
Taylor played in the group ahead of Kim and forced a playoff with an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. He backpedaled as the ball curved toward the hole and flipped his putter in the air when it dropped.
Kim, who shared the third-round lead with Bryce Molder, birdied the first hole on Sunday and maintained the outright lead until the 18th. He hit his approach into the greenside bunker, blasted out to 6 feet and missed to the right.
He struggled with his tee shots all weekend, but found the fairway on the playoff hole. Taylor hit the bunker on the right off the tee and couldn't recover.
Kim hit only 23 of 56 fairways in four rounds, the fourth-lowest total for a winner since 1983.
"I was in some spots on the golf course I never thought I could possibly see," Kim said. "But I got out of those with pars and birdies and feel very confident going into next week."
Earlier in the day, Phil Mickelson finished 2 under after an eventful 71. He double-bogeyed three of his first 10 holes, then reeled off six straight birdies to match the best streak on tour this year. Matt Every birdied six consecutive holes in Phoenix.
During his hot stretch on the back nine, Mickelson pulled a special guest out of the gallery to carry his bag. Dr. Tom Buchholz, a radiation oncologist at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, is treating Mickelson's wife and mother, Amy and Mary, who were both diagnosed with breast cancer last summer.
Buchholz wasn't totally inexperienced. He was working in the pro shop at the Westchester Country Club after college in 1984 when he caddied for Allen Miller in the PGA Tour's Westchester Classic. Miller tied for 10th.
"It was a story we talked about over the many hours and weeks and months we've been together in the hospital," Mickelson said. "We went 3-for-3, three birdies."
Light rain fell in the morning, but the tournament avoided a weather delay for the first time since 2005.