18 June,2010 07:35 AM IST | | Agencies
Phil Mickelson's seaside excursions were the least of his worries yesterday as the Masters champion blamed "horrific" putting for his failure to make a single birdie in the first round of the US Open.
Mickelson, who has five runner-up finishes in the national championship and would dearly love to lift the trophy, hit one ball in the Pacific Ocean and another near enough to require a drop, but he said it was his poor showing on the greens that led to a four-over par 75 at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
"Obviously I didn't score well, but I thought I played pretty well, other than putting.
"I just putted horrific," said Mickelson. "It's very frustrating for me to miss all those opportunities.
"I don't mind making a bad swing here, there ufffd making a bogey here, there. It's part of the US Open. It's just I've got to make birdies."
Mickelson's round was his highest to start a US Open since a 75 at Congressional in 1997.
When he walked off the course ufffd straight to the practice green ufffd Mickelson was five shots off the lead.
Early first-round scores:
70 ufffd Rafael Cabrera Bello (ESP), KJ Choi (KOR), Mike Weir (CAN), Ian Poulter (ENG).
71 ufffd Luke Donald (ENG), David Toms (USA).
