Dan O'Neill

SAN DIEGO - If you didn’t know better, you might have thought the Beatles had landed at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Thursday. If you didn’t know better, you might have thought the U.S. Open was a three-ring circus, or maybe a one-trick tee time.

And if you spent the day watching Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson make Adam Scott — the third-ranked player in the world — feel like a non-competing marker, you probably didn’t feel you missed much when it was all said and done.

At least, not if your definition of much is based on name recognition.

While most of the spectators, reporters and photographers on the grounds followed the California Dreamin’ team of Woods, Mickelson and What’s His Name, the 108th playing of our national championship shaped up as a summer stock production.

There were more household names in a cover band, more Google hits in the 8:06 a.m. tee time than could be found on the tournament leaderboard.

“I kind of live under the radar, actually, so I am used to it,” said 45-year old PGA Tour veteran Rocco Mediate. After qualifying to get in, Mediate was among the few, the proud, the nondescript that were near the top. “I think it’s great.”

Mediate had plenty of company in his subterranean digs. The marquee matchup of the day generated lots of interest, particularly with Woods competing for the first time in 60 days, especially with Mickelson forgoing the use of a driver. “Lefty” now changes the contents of his bag more often than Joan Rivers changes the contents of her face.

What’s next? Four putters? Three ball retrievers? Indoor/outdoor plumbing?

Video   Putting things into perspective June 12: First round co-leader of the 2008 U.S. Open, Kevin Streelman, gets his drive to win from young cancer patients. NBC Sports

But the Terrific Trio did not produce any sustained fireworks. None of the three finished in red numbers, none cracked the USGA dean’s list. Mickelson got the symbolic “W” with a par-71. Stay tuned on Friday for the second-round sequel.

In the meantime, among your U.S. Open leaders at Torrey Pines is 33-year old Justin Hicks, who actually took time during his press conference to explain he is not the same Justin Hicks who works as a teaching pro in the San Diego area. “The Tour got us mixed up," said Hicks, another sectional qualifier and the proud owner of a 3-under par 68.

Hicks shares the honor with 29-year old PGA Tour rookie Kevin Streelman, who has more missed cuts (six) during his first major league season than top-10s (none).

One stroke back is Mediate (69), Stuart Appleby (69) and 34-year old Eric Axley. Also toying with the lead are 19-year old amateur Rickie Fowler, Swede Robert Karlsson, Robert Allenby, Lee Westwood and Ross Fisher. Oh, and for those of you who might be confused, that is the Ross Fisher born in Ascot, England.

On the other hand, there should be no confusion in the fact that none of the above has a major championship to his credit.

As if to remind everyone this is, indeed, a Grand Slam sanctioned event, not the Valero Texas Open, Ernie Els and Geoff Ogilvy managed to get in red numbers.

In years past, Els would have been in the featured act — playing with Woods and Mickelson — instead of the backup band. Things have not been as Big or Easy for the South African is recent times.

But Els has won two of these USGA shooting matches and three majors overall. At the age of 38, with Butch Harmon in his corner, Els has the star power to make this Open memorable. But after an opening-round 70, does he have the staying power.

108th U.S. Open At Torrey Pines South Golf Course (San Diego) Tiger wins in sudden death for 14th major title Video: Action, interviews from tournament Opinion: Tiger marvels everyone, including himself Opinion: Superman gets best of Everyman Mediate, 45, proves he still has game Performance on 18th carries Woods to win Celizic: Greatness makes Tiger so loveable Open Mike: Don't change the 18-hole playoff U.S. Open playoff history  |  Leaderboard   Slide shows: Tournament  |  Tiger Woods A look at Torrey Pines  |  Hole flyovers Memorable moments  |  History  |  Champions

Even closer to the lead is Ogilvy, who is among the crowd at 2-under 69. Ogilvy fits the modern U.S. Open championship model. He is one of the Southern Hemisphere invaders that have dominated this event in recent years.

The past four United States championships have been won by those types, including Argentinean Angel Cabrera (2007), Australia’s Ogilvy (2006), New Zealand’s Michael Campbell (2005) and South Africa’s Retief Goosen (2004).

After winning at Pinehurst, Campbell has been harder to find than the Fugitive’s one-armed man. He finished 7-over on Thursday. Cabrera was 8-over and is a combined 42 strokes over par in his last 18 PGA Tour rounds. “The Duck” has been playing like a dog.

Goosen had a first-round 76. He has one PGA Tour victory over the last four years. We’re not talking Sports Illustrated cover here, but do you see a pattern?

The Mickelson-Woods-Scott threesome will light up the grounds for one more day on Friday. At that point, the U.S. Open is on its own, responsible for its own entertainment value and electricity. Let’s hope the character of the tournament lives up to the spectacular surroundings.

MORE FROM GOLF

Golf Section Front

Tiger the host with the most by winning AT&T Powell: Tiger vs. Roger: Advantage, Federer British Open-bound: Molder, Goydos and Snedeker Kaymer tops Westwood in playoff to win French Open Yi beats Pressel in playoff at Farr Creamer says she'll play at U.S. Open next week Latest golf videos Discuss: Sound off on golf at Newsvine.com Rotoworld: Latest player news, rumors and more Special section: Golf on NBC Golf Section Front   Add Golf headlines to your news reader: