Mickelson meltdown comes early — with a four-putt

BROOKLINE, MASS. » All it took was about two cringeworthy minutes and four putts from 12 feet to bring the golf world back to this: No matter where he plays, or how much money he makes, Phil Mickelson can sometimes remind us — of us.

The player who built his brand as golf’s everyman — only to risk it all with his move to a Saudi-backed startup that led to his suspension from the PGA Tour — looked like a weekend duffer in putting himself out of the U.S. Open contention Thursday on the par-3 sixth.

He shot 8-over 78. He walked off the course tied for 145th in the 156-player field. About the only consolation was that his interaction with the crowd was mostly positive: Thumbs ups and some eye contact through the sunglasses from him and lots of “Go Phil,” and “Happy Birthday, Phil” from the stands. He turned 52 on Thursday.

The ultimate “Phil Being Phil” moment came on the sixth green.

Mickelson hit his tee shot on the 196-yard par-3 to 12 feet, then waited while Louis Oosthuizen almost chipped in from the rough and Shane Lowry, putting on almost Mickelson’s exact line, just missed to the right.

Looking for his first birdie, Mickelson blew it 3 feet past. He stopped and stared.

Asked his brother and caddie, Tim, to take a look at the comebacker. Blocked that one, too. And the next.

When he mercifully tapped in for his double-bogey 5, he was 5 over with the meat of the golf course still ahead. The quiet buzz spilling out of the grandstand and luxury suites grew louder as Happy Hour approached.

Yes, that happened.

Earlier, Mickelson had missed par saves from 7 feet on No. 1 and 8 feet on No. 3. He needed 32 putts overall, which ranked him 120th. This marked the sixth straight time he’s failed to break par in the opening round of the U.S. Open.

He did not stop to talk to reporters afterward.