US Open Golf TV Schedule 2012: Complete Listing for ESPN and NBC

While some of the best golfers in the world struggled to string together two good shots on the difficult Olympic Club Lake Course, virtual unknown Michael Thompson made it look like a walk in the park, taking a three-stroke lead after Day 1.

Despite that tremendous performance, it's hard to imagine him backing it up with another low round—considering his lack of success leading into the tournament. That means the door should open for other contenders to make a move on Friday.

Here's a look at the important information for the U.S. Open, featuring the remaining television schedule and some players to watch on Day 2.

Where: Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif.

When: Thursday, June 14 - Sunday, June 17

TV Schedule

Round	Date	Time (ET)	Channel
Round 2	June 15	12 - 3 p.m.	ESPN
		3 - 5 p.m.	NBC
		5 - 10 p.m.	ESPN
Round 3	June 16	4 - 10 p.m.	NBC
Round 4	June 17	4 - 10 p.m.	NBC

Players to Watch

Michael Thompson

The last time Thompson finished inside the top 15 at a PGA Tour event, kids were still playing with the toys they got for Christmas. It was at the Sony Open back in January when he finished sixth.

Since then, he's missed five cuts, including the Memorial two weeks ago.

So to say his unmatched first round was a surprise would be an understatement. How he handles the pressure associated with leading a major event will be the biggest story of the afternoon, and it serves as a huge mental test for the American.

The most vital thing for him is not letting it all get away on one hole. Scoring should be difficult all week, so if he drops a shot or two throughout the day, it's no big deal. But one big number would likely doom him.

Tiger Woods

Woods looked great in Round 1. He left a couple shots out there and still managed to post a one-under score to tie for second place. It's the best sign yet that the 14-time major champion has found a comfort zone with his refined game.

In previous false starts, Woods would keep giving back any progress he made with a slow start in his next start. That wasn't the case this time around. After winning the Memorial, he came out and put himself in a perfect position.

Even though there's still three rounds to go and Woods could once again start finding the rough off every tee, he should be viewed as the clear favorite right now. Another meltdown would be a surprise, and it's been awhile since that could be said.

Justin Rose

While most of the focus was on the European trio of Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy—who combined to go 19 stokes over par—England's Justin Rose flew under the radar and finished the round tied with Woods at one-under.

Rose has been playing really well as of late. He finished second in the European Tour's BMW PGA Championship then immediately traveled to the Memorial where he came in eighth.

So perhaps his strong opening round should have been expected.

He has finished ninth or better at each of the four majors, but has never won one. Based on his recent form and how the course fits his game, he has a golden opportunity to bring that drought to an end this weekend.