Projecting Phil Mickelson's Day 3 Score at 2013 US Open

After an odd second round, Mickelson finished the day with a share of the lead at one under par at the 2013 U.S. Open. Mickelson missed a bevy of opportunities, but ultimately his ability to maintain pars and sink a clutch birdie on 18 salvaged the day.

With the Merion Golf Course playing so tough, Mickelson may only need to maintain par the rest of the way to win the tournament. Here is a projection of Mickelson's day on Saturday.

Par Threes

On Thursday, he was masterful on the short holes. He birdied two of his four opportunities and the two-under par helped to spur Lefty to his three-under 67.

He wasn't quite as good on Friday. He gave back one shot on the short holes, but maintained par on the other three. 

These are tricky holes, and sustaining excellence on them will be difficult. Mickelson can easily be as bad as he's been good previously. We should expect a fall off from Mickelson on the par threes on Saturday.

He is a gambler, no matter the course. He'll likely be two over on this aspect of his day.

Par Fours

On the 12 par-four holes at Merion, Mickelson has been extremely consistent. He's even par through the first two rounds of play, and that is the primary reason he is in position to win the tournament.

He has to remain solid here if he wants to stay in the hunt, though. Unfortunately for Mickelson, I believe he's headed for a rough day. He flirted with disaster on Friday, but on Saturday he will find it.

A birdie-less day with three bogeys will doom Mickelson's third round. 

Par Fives

There are only two par five holes at Merion, but by the end of the day, Mickelson will be wishing there were more. He's parred both holes in the first two rounds, but on Saturday he'll have the majority of his success on the long holes.

Birdies on both holes will make Mickelson's otherwise horrible day a little more bearable.