Having suffered a nightmare begin at The Nation Membership on Thursday — an eight-over 78 marring Mickelson’s 52nd birthday — the six-time main winner improved on Friday’s second spherical to card a three-over 73.
Nevertheless, with solely the highest 60 gamers and ties progressing to the weekend, Mickelson’s 11-over par whole meant his quest for an elusive US Open victory — the one main he’s but to win — continues. His fifth time lacking the lower on the occasion, it ties his fifth-highest profession rating relative to par after two rounds at a serious, in keeping with ESPN Stats and Data.
The American’s outing in Brookline was the primary in his dwelling nation since January, following a four-month hiatus from the game that ended along with his headliner look on the LIV Golf sequence’ debut occasion in London final week.

Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund (PIF) and pledging to award big sums of prize cash, the breakaway tour has generated big controversy for threatening to upset golf’s conventional format.

Mickelson was one in all a number of golfers suspended from the PGA Tour for taking part within the rival league, and has confronted a string of uncomfortable press conferences relating to his involvement.

Nevertheless, cheers for the 52-year-old continued all through his two rounds at The Nation Membership, with Mickelson fast to reward the Boston ambiance.

“The followers right here have all the time been terrific,” Mickelson informed reporters. “They actually assist all sports activities.

“I like it after we carry golf right here as a result of they create a extremely particular ambiance.”

“I missed competing, however I additionally loved a while away,” he added.

‘Want I had performed higher’

After making an eye-watering begin to the primary spherical, with three bogeys and a double bogey leaving him five-over after six holes, Mickelson started markedly higher on Friday. Consecutive birdies on the fifth and sixth helped him to one-under on the identical stage.

His enchancment was dampened when his errant shot from the third tee struck a spectator, with Mickelson attending to the fan and gifting him his golf glove earlier than making par.

Mickelson attending to a fan struck by his ball at the third hole.

Three bogeys by means of the again 9 dropped Mickelson’s rating, however the comfort of enhancing 5 strokes from the earlier spherical meant he might replicate on a “good day.”

“I loved the week. Want I had performed higher,” Mickelson stated.

CNN’s Kevin Dotson contributed to reporting.

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