Phil Mickelson shoots even-par 70 in U.S. Open 1st round

In the clubhouse two shots off the pace (and reportedly cleared in the Clorox insider trading case), the juiciest storyline heading into the 2014 U.S. Open remains just that. 

Phil Mickelson, in search of his first national championship, navigated Pinehurst to the tune of three birdies on three bogeys for an even-par opening round. He sits two shots behind Kevin Na and Graeme McDowell. 

"The one club that's hurting me is the putter," Mickelson said. "So I've got to get that turned around in the next couple of days.

"I'm never upset, anything (around) par, it's usually a good score. It's a good start." 

His performance is likely a good omen for what's to come for both him and ESPN's ratings. Golf World's Brett Avery points out that with 11 opening-round U.S. Open scores of 70 or better, Mickelson finished among the top seven on eight occasions. 

That includes those (record) six runner-up finishes.