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Phelps, competing in his second meet following a six-month
ban for a drunk driving conviction, finished behind winner Tom
Shields and runner-up Ryan Lochte.
"My turns are still pretty terrible,” the 18-times Olympic gold
medalist told reporters. “But it’s a lot better than what it was
last year.”
Phelps, the fastest 100 butterfly swimmer in the world last year
with a best time of 51.17 seconds, clocked 52.59 on Friday.
Shields won in a time of 52.12.
Earlier in the day, Phelps failed to qualify for the 200
freestyle final after clocking the 14th fastest time in his
heat.
At the Arena Pro Swim Series meet in Mesa, Arizona last month,
Phelps won the 100 butterfly but failed to reach the 400
freestyle final.
He is scheduled to compete in the 200 butterfly and 100
backstroke on Saturday.
His participation in the 200 butterfly will mark the first time
he has competed in the race since the 2012 London Olympics. “For
me to ever want to really compete at that race, I would make
sure that I was in the best shape possible,” Phelps said. “I
know what I have to do to be able to get there.”
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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