Phil Mickelson needed a good start Thursday at the U.S. Open.
He got it.
Lefty finished his first trip around Chambers Bay with a one-under par 69 that put him in good position to go after the major championship that has eluded him and broken his heart six times in the process.
Mickelson showed off his world-class short game right off the bat when he got up and down for par at the first hole to set the tone for his front nine. Birdies at three, five and eight put him three-under at the turn. His inward nine would be a struggle. Three bogeys, one birdie but it was good enough to post the 69.
Mickelson and 14 other morning starters took advantage of no wind and a course that wasn’t as fast as it was in the afternoon.
“I played well,” Mickelson said after his round. Chambers Bay didn’t hold any surprises for him. “It played about what I thought,” he said.
Mickelson’s round put him four behind the early leaders — Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson.
