Phil Mickelson watches his tee shot on the fourth hole during the first round of the BellSouth Classic golf tournament, Thursday, March 30, 2006, in Duluth, Ga.

DULUTH, GA. ? Phil Mickelson got off to a fast start in his bid for a third BellSouth Classic title – and made it clear that he’s in top form for the Masters.

Mickelson tied the tournament’s course record Thursday, shooting a 9-under 63 to take a one-shot lead over Gavin Coles in the first round of the final tuneup for Augusta.

Mickelson birdied six of the first seven holes.

“It was a fun day, a fun start,” Mickelson said. “I birdied the first couple of holes and was off and running. I looked up and I was 6 under through seven. That was a good feeling.”

Charles Warren is third at 7-under 65, followed by Joe Durant, Ian Poulter and Scott Parel at 66. Parel made a 21-foot birdie putt on 18 for his 66.

Mickelson, the defending champion, missed a six-foot birdie putt on the 18th green that would have broken the tournament record at the TPC at Sugarloaf in this Atlanta suburb.