BROOKLINE — Phil Mickelson has received a positive welcome from the majority of those attending the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club.
Unfortunately for them, it seems Mickelson won’t be sticking around long.
Mickelson, who recently has found his name in headlines after departing the PGA Tour and joining the controversial LIV Golf Invitational Series, seems well on his way to finishing below the cut line in the 122nd U.S. Open. The initial field of 156 players will be reduced to the low 60 scores and ties after the conclusion of Friday’s second round.
Mickelson took part in what proved to be a first-round debacle Thursday at the historic course in Brookline. He finished 8-over par 78, which ranked him in a tie for 147th place. Only seven golfers in the field scored worse than Mickelson.
Mickelson’s day got off to a rough start as he was 5-over through six holes with frontside bogies on the par-4 1st, par-4 3rd and par-4 5th along with a double on the 196-yard par-3 6th. The backside didn’t go much better with bogies on the par-4 10th and par-4 18th to go along with a double on the par-4 12th. Mickelson carded just one birdie on the par-3 11th.
Not everyone had as much trouble as Mickelson, however. There was a crowd atop the leaderboard with Adam Hadwin claiming the outright lead at 4-under par 66. Rory McIlroy, the No. 3 golfer in the World, was among the group just behind Hadwin after carding a 3-under par 67.
Mickelson will begin his second round Friday at 8:02 a.m. ET, with his group teeing off on the 10th hole.
