Justin Rose looks skyward apparently in recognition of his deceased father after putting on the 18th hole to win the 113th U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club on June 16, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
(CNN) -- It started with an overnight flight and a thunderstorm -- it finished with a place at the top end of the leaderboard.
Phil Mickelson would dearly love to win the U.S. Open, having finished as runner-up on five occasions, but not even the lure of Merion was enough to keep him away from his daughter's eighth-grade graduation.
The four-time major champion missed the practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday to be with daughter Amanda in California before flying through the night on his private jet to Philadelphia.
Arriving in Pennsylvania at 4.15 a.m. Thursday morning, Mickelson easily made his 7.11 a.m. tee time and produced his lowest round in the U.S. Open since 1999 -- which came just days before Amanda was born -- with a three-under-par 67.
It gave him the clubhouse lead, and when the rest of the field had finally finished their rounds Friday he had a one-shot advantage over England's former world No. 1 Luke Donald.
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"I loved having an early tee time," Mickelson, whose round was halted by a lengthy delay due to heavy rain, told reporters.
"I wish we did not have the delay because it made it a long day but the golf course is playing about as easy as it could, but Merion is fighting hard.
"It's one of the best I've seen for a U.S. Open. It's soft but we are having a hard time getting under par."
The 42-year-old also insisted his preparation for the tournament has not been undermined by spending time back in California.
"When I was here the week before I was able to do all the work I needed, the last part was getting my game sharp so being able to do that in nice weather on a good practice facility was advantageous."
A weather break of three hours and 32 minutes meant an inauspicious start to the 113th U.S. Open, being hosted by Merion for the first time in 32 years.
The Thursday morning starters managed just 111 minutes of play before torrential rain hit the course and forced play to be suspended.
Donald, seeking his first major title, had been four under but dropped two shots in his last three holes after coming back to finish his round Friday.
Big-hitting Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts was tied for third after completing a 69 on Friday, alongside Scottish surprise package Russell Knox -- ranked 398th in the world.
Former Masters winner Charl Schwartzel shot 70 to be tied for fifth with fellow South African Tim Clark, Americans Jerry Kelly and Rickie Fowler, Australians Jason Day and John Senden plus Swede Peter Hedblom, England's former world No. 1 Lee Westwood and veteran South Korean K.J. Choi.
Defending champion Webb Simpson completed a 71 to be in a big group including 2012 Masters winner Bubba Watson and his U.S. Ryder Cup teammates Dustin Johnson and Steve Stricker -- that trio finished their rounds on Thursday.
Australia's 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott had been tied with Mickelson after 11 holes on Thursday, but carded three bogeys and a double to slump to a 72.
World No. 3 Scott was playing with No. 1 Tiger Woods, who was two over after 10 holes Thursday, and No. 2 Rory McIlroy -- tied for 16th on even par through 11.
Woods, who shrugged off suggestions he had seriously hurt his wrist while hitting out of the rough, added two bogeys and a birdie to sign for a 73.
"My left arm didn't feel too good on a few shots but overall it was not too bad a round," he told reporters. "I missed a load of putts."
McIlroy, the 2011 U.S. Open winner, had the same score after dropping shots at three of his last four holes Friday.
Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia revealed he was heckled by "a couple of guys" during his opening round of 73.
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His jibe last month that he would invite Tiger Woods round for "fried chicken" during the U.S. Open led to an immediate and unreserved apology from the Spaniard, who denied it was racially motivated.
Woods took to Twitter to register his disappointment with the remarks, calling them "wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate."
The two men shook hands on Monday and Garcia has sent Woods a note, but he confirmed he had yet to hear from the American.
Woods, 37 has not won a major since he won the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in 2008 where he defeated Rocco Mediate on a playoff while playing with a broken leg.
A 15th major victory would take him to within three of all-time record of 18 set by Jack Nicklaus, whose final triumph came at the 1986 Masters at Augusta.
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Phil Mickelson celebrates with caddie Jim Mackay after making a shot for eagle on the 10th hole par 4 during the final round on June 16.
Tiger Woods hits from the 5th tee during the fourth round on June 16.
Charl Schwartzel and Steve Stricker examine the green during the final round.
Billy Horschel hits his second shot on the 15th hole on June 16.
Jason Day reacts to his missed putt for birdie on the 15th hole on June 16.
Luke Donald climbs up a bank after hitting out of a water hazard at the 4th hole on June 16.
Justin Rose hits an approach shot on the fourth hole on June 16.
Ian Poulter hits his third shot on the 10th hole during the final round on June 16.
Rory McIlroy hits his second shot on the second hole.
Hideki Matsuyama of Japan talks with caddie Daisuke Shindo on the first hole on June 16.
The names of Phil Mickelson of the United States, Hunter Mahan of the United States, Steve Stricker of the United States and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa are seen on a leaderboard during the final round on June 16.
A gallery of fans follows Tiger Woods and Matt Bettencourt of the United States near the second hole during the final round on June 16.
Phil Mickelson reacts on the 18th green during round three of the 113th U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club on Saturday, June 15, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
Hunter Mahan hits his second shot on the 14th hole.
A groundhog is seen along the sixth fairway on June 15.
Tiger Woods of the United States putts on the ninth green on June 15.
Justin Rose plans the next shot near the 17th green on June 15.
Steve Stricker drives from the fifth tee on June 15.
Charley Hoffman dries his feet after chipping to the fourth green from a creek during the third round on June 15.
John Senden of Australia putts on the ninth hole on June 15.
Luke Donald hits a shot from a bunker on the 17th hole during round three on June 15.
Cheng-Tsung Pan of Chinese Taipei hits his second shot on the 16th hole during a continuation of round two on June 15.
A caddie rakes a bunker at the 10th hole on June 15.
Sergio Garcia of Spain places a ball on the 17th green on June 15.
Ian Poulter of England waits to putt on the 18th green on June 15.
Phil Mickelson of the United States hits his second shot on the 10th hole during round two of the 113th U.S. Open on Friday, June 14.
Mickelson smiles as he walks off the 11th tee during round two on June 14.
Justin Rose of England lines up a putt on the second green during round two on June 14.
Steve Stricker of the United States hits his second shot on hole two on June 14.
Tiger Woods of the United States hits a chip shot on the eighth hole during round two.
Woods misses a putt for birdie on the ninth hole on June 14.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Woods walk up the 10th hole during round two on June 14.
Bubba Watson of the United States hits his tee shot on the second hole during round two on June 14.
Billy Horschel of the United States waits on the 16th tee with caddie Micah Fugitt during round two on June 14.
Mathew Goggin of Australia hits his second shot on the first hole during a continuation of the first round on June 14. Rain delayed the round on June 13.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits from a bunker on the 15th hole on June 14.
Luke Donald of England walks with caddie John McLaren on the 17th hole on June 14.
Tiger Woods of the United States putts on the 14th hole on June 14.
Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain hits his second shot on the 17th hole on June 14.
England's Ian Poulter tees off at the second hole during the first round on Thursday, June 13.
Roger Tambellini of the United States hits his second shot from a bunker on the first hole on June 13.
Bill Haas of the United States ponders a putt on the 10th hole on June 13.
Ryan Yip of Canada hits his second shot out of a bunker on the 10th hole on June 13.
On the fourth hole, Aaron Baddeley of Australia tees off on June 13.
Lucas Glover of the United States tees off on the 11th hole on June 13.
The gallery takes in the U.S. Open from the 17th hole at Merion Golf Club on June 13.
Steve Stricker of the United States tees off on the 13th hole on June 13.
Rain begins to fall and play is suspended on June 13.
A man looks out over the 18th hole after play was suspended during a storm on June 13.
People traverse the 18th fairway during a weather delay on June 13.
Jason Day of Australia, Rickie Fowler of the United States and Matteo Manassero of Italy play on the 17th green on June 13.
Scott Stallings of the U.S. shoots from a bunker on the 15th hole on June 13.
On the 17th hole, Padraig Harrington of Ireland makes his second shot on June 13.
Cheng-Tsung Pan of Taiwan tees off on the 11th hole during on June 13.
Dustin Johnson of the U.S. tees off on the 18th hole on June 13.
Phil Mickelson of the U.S. watches his shot from the tee of the second hole on June 13.
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