Unheralded American duo Justin Hicks and Kevin Streelman lead the way after the first round of the 108th US Open.
Woods four back on return to action, Mickelson right in the hunt
Unheralded American duo Justin Hicks and Kevin Streelman stole the show at the 108th US Open, shooting matching 68s to claim a one-shot lead after the opening round at Torrey Pines.
Standing at three-under, the pair are one clear of a group of four players comprising 2006 champion Geoff Ogilvy, Australian compatriot Stuart Appleby and two more Americans, Rocco Mediate and Eric Axley.
Making his first competitive appearance since undergoing knee surgery following his runner-up finish at The Masters in April, Tiger Woods carded a 72 to finish four shots off the pace, while playing partner Phil Mickelson produced a stirring back nine to return a level-par 71.
There were also some encouraging European starts with Lee Westwood and Robert Karlsson both producing one-under-par rounds of 70, although the Swede will be slightly disappointed having at one stage raced out to an early lead at four-under.
Luke Donald let two shots slip in his final four holes but still finished at level-par where he was joined by another Swede Carl Pettersson.
Meanwhile, 1992 and 1994 champion Ernie Els is also poised at one-under, along with Robert Allenby of Australia and American amateur Rickie Fowler.
On a day of excellent conditions and largely generous pin positions it was Hicks who took advantage early on to post the clubhouse target.
Rollercoaster
Staring at the tenth the Nationwide Tour player, who missed the cut in his only other US Open appearance in 2004, experienced a rollercoaster front nine, mixing six birdies with three bogeys to hit the turn in 33 shots.
His back nine was a more sedate affair with his seventh birdie of the day at the fourth cancelled out by a final bogey at seven.
Streelman headed out much later in the day but was equally impressive as he conjured six birdies and three bogeys.
The American displayed a liking for Torrey Pines earlier in the year having shot opening rounds of 67 and 69 at the Buick Invitational back in January to secure a third round pairing with eventual winner Tiger Woods.
He once again looked more than comfortable on the lay-out despite making his debut in major competition, although spurned the chance to claim the outright lead after a bogey-six at his last hole, the ninth.
Rustiness from Woods
Woods hinted at signs of rustiness after his extended absence as his opening drive found thick rough to set him on the way to a double-bogey six.
However, the world number one responded in typical style as a wonderful recovery from fairway sand on the fourth resulted in birdie with two more following at eight and nine to move him ominously into the red numbers by the turn.
But another scruffy double-bogey six at 14 dropped him back over-par and he missed the opportunity to make amends at the par-five 18th with a tentative three-putt forcing him to settle for par.
Partner, and San Diego native, Mickelson found himself three-over early on after consecutive bogeys at five, six and seven, but rallied well with birdies at ten, 13, 14 and then 18 ensuring he remained very much in the mix much to the delight of his extensive army of followers.
But while good scoring certainly proved possible, there were plenty who came up short on Thursday with defending champion Angel Cabrera (79) just one who found the going very tough.
Sergio Garcia never truly recovered from an awful start as he posted a 76, Open champion Padraig Harrington and Ian Poulter both stuttered to 78s, while things were even worse for Justin Rose, Colin Montgomerie and Paul Casey who all face an uphill struggle to make the cut after 79s.
