Phil Mickelson: Struggling in 1st Round Nothing New for Lefty in 2012

Despite shooting a six-over-par 76 to open the 2012 US Open, Phil Mickelson can take some solace in the fact that he has naturally started out poorly in tournaments this year, then rebounded from there on out.

Before the US Open kicked off on Thursday, Mickelson had averaged a score of 71.5 in the first round of 13 PGA Tour events this year. In contrast, Mickelson averaged a score of 69.5 in the second round of 12 PGA Tour events (excluding the Memorial because he withdrew after one round of play).

Anyone who knows golf knows there will be inevitable ups and downs. This year, Mickelson has generally been down in the first round, and typically been up in the following rounds. In that sense, his score of 76 on Thursday may not be as foreboding as it appears on the surface.

For example, in the biggest tournament of the year thus far, the Masters, Mickelson opened up with a 74. He proceeded to score a 68, 66 and 72 in each round after that. He finished tied for third place with an eight-under-par 280.

Also, despite Mickelson's poor start, it's not like many golfers on Thursday tore up the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Leader Michael Thompson scored a four-under-par, but everyone else scored a one-under-par or worse. The projected cut line before Mickelson tees off on Friday is currently at five-over-par. He may only have to shoot a one-under-par to make the cut. Obviously, that's easier said than done at the Olympic Club, but it's certainly doable.

Mickelson shot a three-over-par 74 at Congressional to start off last year's US Open, then shot a 69 in the second round. Sure, he shot a 77 in the third round, but he at least made the cut.

Lefty has placed second or tied for second five times in his career at the US Open. He's certainly capable of contending for the major. If his overall play in 2012 is any indication, he should make the cut on Friday.

Follow me on Twitter. We can talk about golf together.