UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. -- After following an opening 1-under 69 with a round of 74 on Friday, six-time runner-up Phil Mickelson was eight shots back of the leaders.
But that also means Mickelson will go out early on Saturday, when conditions are ripe for scoring, well before the leaders.
Trying to complete the career Grand Slam, Mickelson anticipated needing a round in the mid-60s on Saturday to climb into contention.
He struggled on the greens Friday, and said after his round: "It's a U.S. Open. It happens. Everyone has to go through a tough spell. I got through mine — well, hopefully my only one, but that's unlikely."