Mickelson makes the perfect start at Merion

Fresh from a cross-country plane journey, five-time runner-up Phil Mickelson today made the perfect start to his bid for a first US Open title on a weather-delayed opening day at Merion.

Mickelson had flown home to California on Monday after torrential rain saw the course closed in mid-afternoon, and then attended his daughter’s eighth-grade graduation on Wednesday afternoon before flying back in time for his 7:11am tee time this morning.