British Open Leaderboard 2016: Friday Score Updates and Tournament Predictions

Phil Mickelson wanted to get off to a good start, but what he did in the first round of the British Open bordered on the ridiculous Thursday. Mickelson fired an eight-under-par 63 to take a three-stroke lead in the third major of the year.

Mickelson fired four birdies on the front nine at Royal Troon and did the same thing on the back nine of the Scottish course. He did not have a single bogey during the round and was on top of his game throughout the day.

Mickelson recorded one of the greatest victories of his career with a sensational final-round 66 at Muirfield's 2013 British Open.

A tremendous first round alone will not be enough to help him win another major championship, but he has started in the right direction.

"Nothing will match that final round at Muirfield, but that was one of the best rounds I've ever played," he said at the conclusion of Thursday's round, per Kyle Porter of CBS Sports.

However, as good as the round was, Mickelson missed a birdie putt on No. 18 that would have given him the first 62 in the history of golf's major tournaments. He appeared to line up his 16-foot putt perfectly, but the ball took a right-hand turn, rimmed around the cup and failed to drop.

"It started on my line, and it was right in the center hole with a foot to go. ... It went to the right a little harder," he told Golf Channel (via Porter). "I see these highlights, and yet I feel like crying. I don't know what to say. I don't know how that ball missed because it was perfect speed in the center with a foot to go."

Mickelson did not get the record, but he set an incredible standard for the first day of competition. Martin Kaymer of Germany was also excellent, firing a five-under 66 in the first round. He is tied for second with American Patrick Reed.

Many fans have been waiting for Reed to assert himself for the last two years, and if he can build on his stellar first round, he has a chance to make a run at the title.

Keegan Bradley has struggled for much of the year, but he fired a 67 on Thursday and appears to be ready to show off his ability to hit the long ball and hone in on the flag. He is one of eight players at four under, along with defending champion Zach Johnson and Steve Stricker.

However, the weather is expected to turn nasty.

Rain is expected throughout the day Friday, according to Golfweek, and if the course is deemed playable, golfers could be competing during a downpour. In addition to the rain, the wind is expected to come into play Friday as well, with 30-plus mph gusts.

Predictions

Thursday's great scores will give way to high scores and heartbreak Friday. While the weekend weather will be better than Friday's forecast, it will be tough for golfers to mount excellent scores for the rest of the tournament.

Look for Mickelson to ride the crest of his superb opening round to an even-par 71 on Friday, assuming he can complete his round. That is likely to be one of the top scores of the day.

Kaymer is a superb competitor who knows how to rise to the occasion, and he should be able to shoot a one-over 72. Reed won't be able to keep up, and he will shoot a 74.

Don't look for Bradley to repeat his success. He will struggle badly in the poor weather and shoot a 75. Johnson will fire a 74, while Stricker will battle hard and match Kaymer's 72.

Rory McIlroy shot an opening-round 69, and while he could have been better if he had made a few more putts, he should be ready to contend. Look for him to follow that with an even-par 71 in the second round. Dustin Johnson is coming off an even-par round, and he should be able to match that score in Round 2.

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Jordan Spieth also posted an even-par 71, while Jason Day shot a shocking two-over 73. Neither man is out of the tournament, and both have the wherewithal to improve despite the poor weather conditions.

When the final round is over, look for Kaymer to climb past Mickelson and hold off hard-charging competitors such as McIlroy and Day to secure the British Open title.