Mickelson lands lead as Merion proves real test

They said it would be a massacre of Merion but the grand old lady of American golf proved more than a match for the game’s elite as only Phil Mickelson managed to lay a glove on her in the early stages of the weather-delayed US Open.

Despite receiving six inches of rain in the build-up and another early morning hammering that led to a three hour and 32 minute suspension, the sub-7,000 yard track proved to be more than a match for the modern superstars.

Mickelson, who only flew in at 4.30am for his 7.11 am tee time having gone home to San Diego for his daughter’s eighth grade graduation, fired four birdies and just one bogey in a three under 67 to take the early lead by three strokes in the clubhouse from South African pair Charl Schwartzel and Tim Clark and American Jerry Kelly.