US Open 2012: Where Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods Stand

The 2012 US Open heads into the weekend at the Olympic Club, and the world's greatest golfers are struggling to keep pace with the course.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson teed off together, but the two are in very different positions heading into the weekend. Here is where they stand:

Phil Mickelson

Lefty has been struggling at the Olympic Club. He was looking to win the first US Open of his career, but his play continues to decline.

After withdrawing from the Memorial Tournament and citing fatigue, he looked to right the ship in San Francisco, but the course has proven to be too much for him.

Mickelson played very poorly on Thursday, slicing a ball that was eventually lost on his first shot. His play did not improve, and he finished at six strokes over par. Lefty picked up his play on Friday, finishing the round at one over par.

He is currently sitting at seven-over par, which was barely good enough to avoid the cut. If he had not improved in the second round, then he would have surely been cut. But as it stands, he will be playing during the weekend.

Mickelson is essentially out of contention, as the best round, by far, remains Michael Thompson's four-under on Thursday. Even if Phil recorded two of those rounds on the weekend, it would only put him at one under par.

He clearly won't be raising any trophies on Sunday, and is just another golfer at this point.

Tiger Woods

We've all heard that Tiger was going to be back after sinking a miracle chip-shot at the Memorial Tournament, and he seems to be living up to expectations.

Tiger played well on Thursday, finishing at one under, which placed him in a tie for second place. On Friday, his score was constantly changing, but he finished with a score of 70 to make par.

Tiger is currently in a three-way tie for third at one under par. He is tied with fellow Americans David Toms and Jim Furyk.

Woods has been the focus of the tournament so far, as he looks to capture the 15th Major Championship of his illustrious career.

He will be in the top pairing for the rest of the tournament, and he is in a great position to win the event.

He may have finally turned the corner, and we will see if he can get back to his old form.

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