Safeway Open notes:

Mickelson struggles to find fairway, but sits only 4 off lead.

Phil Mickelson’s driver did not cooperate Thursday. He found the fairway on exactly two of his 14 tee shots, an unattractive percentage even on Silverado’s narrow North Course.

Mickelson still salvaged a 3-under-par 69, leaving him four shots off the lead and very much within striking distance after the first round of the Safeway Open.

“I didn’t drive the ball the way I wanted,” he said, “and it hurt me because there were a lot of birdie holes I wasn’t able to take advantage of, because I put myself in bad spots off the tee. But I played well after the drives.”

Mickelson often missed the fairway by small margins, allowing him to recover nicely with his iron shots (he hit 14 of 18 greens). He also benefited from his experience playing in this tournament last year, when he gained valuable insight.

“I do think it helps, especially knowing the greens,” Mickelson said. “I think the greens are pretty cool, but they’re very peculiar . ... Just a lot of different little movements that are tough to pick up from the fairway.” McNealy’s impressive debut: Stanford alum Maverick

McNealy sparkled in his professional debut, making six birdies and two bogeys in a 68.

It helps that this is not McNealy’s first rodeo. He made eight PGA Tour starts as an amateur, even if his best finish was a tie for 44th in the John Deere Classic in July.

McNealy will tee off on No. 10 at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the second round.

Steele’s strong start: Brendan Steele clearly has a thing for Silverado. Steele shot a final-round 65 to win last year’s tournament. Then he shot an openinground 65 to seize a share of the lead Thursday. Tyler Duncan and Tom Hoge joined Steele at 7-under. Lucas Glover, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, headlined another group at 67. “This place just makes sense to me,” Steele said. “I’m a West Coast guy, so I’m comfortable on the greens. … I know where to be aggressive and where to be cautious.” Two-time major winner Zach Johnson, making his tournament debut, shot 68.