AP - Australian Stuart Appleby fired a hole-in-one to rocket into contention at the storm-hit PGA St. Jude Classic.
Appleby was at four-under, three shots off the lead, through 17 holes when darkness stoppped play at TPC Southwind on Thursday.
The 43-year-old aced the par three 168 metre eighth, his last hole before play was suspended.
The nine-time PGA event winner has had two top-10 and five top-25 finishes on this season's tour.
Phil Mickelson seems to be building momentum for next week's US Open after he birdied three of his last four holes to fire a three-under par 67.
The 43-year-old American left-hander, a five-time major champion, can complete a career grand slam with a victory in next week's major championship at Pinehurst.
But Mickelson has a history of heartache at the event, having finished second a record six times, the first of those coming at Pinehurst in 1999.
That's why Mickelson, who began his round off the 10th tee, was so happy with his finishing flourish.
"Finishing the round the way I did, it's what I needed to do," Mickelson said. "It's the kind of momentum I needed going into the US Open."
American Ben Crane held the clubhouse lead after an opening 63 concluded in milder conditions in the wake of a 3.5 hour storm delay that saw the first round suspended due to darkness.
Peter Malnati was in the clubhouse on 65 with fellow American Joe Durant and two-time US Open winner Retief Goosen of South Africa on 66 and Mickelson in a pack on 67.
Among 60 players unable to complete the round, the low score belonged to American Billy Horschel, who was five-under with two holes to finish.
Mickelson birdied the par-5 16th but closed his first nine holes with a bogey, rolling a putt nine metres past the cup.
"That was a touch issue and it's something I'll have to work on to get ready for next week," Mickelson said.
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