Phil Mickelson

Latest news about Phil Mickelson: The first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament can be a lot like a first date. Get acquainted with the surroundings, downplay expectations and make all moves carefully.

After Thursday’s opening round, two players who represent a big contrast in star quality would agree with that. One is recognizable by one name, the other unrecognizable, even with three names.

Meet Phil Mickelson, a.k.a. Phil. He is No. 2 in the world, attracts a crowd wherever he goes and spent the early hours of Thursday afternoon rationalizing his four-over-par 75 into a decent day at the office.

Mickelson, who has won three tour events at this Pebble Beach course and was expected to do well because of that familiarity, missed six putts of less than 10 feet and hit the ball into the ocean twice.

“If I shoot under par tomorrow,” Mickelson said, “I’ll be right back in it. On this course, an under-par score is not going to win it.”

Also, meet Rafael Cabrera-Bello of Spain, a household name in his own household, who had four birdies and three bogeys, and was among the best finishers of the day with his one-under 70.

“I looked up at the leaderboard near the end and laughed,” the 26-year-old Cabrera-Bello said. “I thought, ‘What’s my name doing there?’ ”

Asked what he expected for Friday, he laughed again and said, “Absolutely nothing.”

Golf allows for these moments, but as quickly as it gives, it takes away. Expect to hear Mickelson’s name plenty the rest of this weekend. He hit the ball well, but putted like a blacksmith. The word he used was “horrific.” But he didn’t win four majors — including three Masters — by folding after a bad opening round.

“It was very frustrating,” he said, “to miss all those opportunities.”

Mickelson said the ball was “jumping left, jumping right,” off his putter. He said he thought he figured out the flaw on the putting green afterward.