US Open Golf Scores 2012: Day 1 Analysis and Reaction for Top Performers

The Olympic Club's Lake Course has provided the difficult challenge everybody was expecting heading into the US Open. Golfers have struggled to build up any type of momentum, leading to average scores through the first half of Day 1.

Here's a look at three players who have handled the conditions well, setting themselves up well for Friday's round. To see a full list of updated scores to find out where your favorite player currently stands on the leaderboard, click here.

Michael Thompson (-4)

Players like Thompson are why it's so tough to predict who will win major championships. He had missed the cut in three of his previous six starts and hasn't finished inside the top 10 since January. Now, he finds himself in first place.

Things didn't start according to plan with a bogey on the first hole, but he really started finding a groove after that. He carded seven birdies and two bogeys from that point forward to post the lowest number in the clubhouse when he finished his round.

Given his lack of success throughout the season and the pressure that comes with posting a low first-round score, it's not likely that Thompson will be able to keep pace for the entire weekend. That said, he deserves credit for a terrific start.

David Toms (-1)

Ever since Toms won the PGA Championship in 2001, he hasn't been a threat at the biggest events too often. He's aiming to change that this week and has gotten off to a good start through 16 holes. Any score under par is good at this course.

He was able to play a mostly steady round with three birdies and two bogeys. It's definitely a tournament that plays to his strengths, since he still has pinpoint accuracy and won't have to contend with the big hitters having any type of huge advantage.

The only problem would be his recent form. Tom missed two straight cuts leading into the US Open, so the chances of him stringing together four straight good rounds remains a long shot. He does have plenty of experience on the big stages, though.

Tiger Woods (-1)

About halfway through his first round it looked like Woods was going to have a tremendous round, but a late bogey slowed his progress. Still, to finish at one-under par when he left at least a couple shots out there should have Woods feeling good.

Even though there are so many questions on a daily basis about his future, Woods has done a nice job of staying in the moment and getting his swing figured out. He's once again a threat to win every time he plays, and that's all he can ask for.

Avoiding a setback in the opening round after winning the Memorial was a huge key for Woods. Since he was able to do that, it would now be a massive surprise if he's not one of the top contenders heading into Sunday as he looks for his 15th major.

Current Top 10

Player	Score	Thru
1. Michael Thompson	-4	F
T-2. Tiger Woods	-1	F
T-2. David Toms	-1	16
T-2. Morgan Hoffmann	-1	1
T-5. Beau Hossler	E	F
T-5. Jason Bohn	E	F
T-5. J.B. Park	E	F
T-5. Robert Karlsson	E	15
T-5. Alistair Presnell	E	12
T-5. Marc Warren	E	10