San Diego — Relative unknowns Kevin Streelman and Justin Hicks shot 3-under 68s Thursday to take the first-round lead at the U.S. Open while Tiger Woods opened with a double bogey and then recovered to remain in contention.

Playing in his first competitive round since knee surgery immediately after the Masters in April, Woods took his first double bogey in 416 holes, and then added another on the back nine before finishing with a 1-over 72.

“To make two double bogeys and a three-putt and only be four back, that’s a great position to be in,” Woods said, “because I know I can clean that up tomorrow.”

Streelman was an unknown rookie when he got into the Buick Invitational in January as the third alternate and wound up in the final group with Woods in the third round. His world ranking was No. 1,354, and he closed with rounds of 75-77 to slip back into oblivion until he emerged anew at Torrey Pines this week.

Hicks played at the Buick Invitational, too — but it wasn’t the same guy whose name was atop the leaderboard of the U.S. Open. Turns out there’s another Justin Hicks, a club pro in San Diego, who qualified for the U.S. PGA Tour event. He showed up in the gallery to watch Justin Hicks, the player from the developmental Nationwide Tour, fire off six birdies on his opening nine and hold it together.

“A lot of weird stuff going on out there today,” Hicks said.

That includes the pairing of Woods and Mickelson that brought enormous crowds outside the ropes and more than 100 media inside the ropes. Woods made his first double bogey since September, worked his way onto the leaderboard and then made another.

Mickelson, the guy who carried two drivers in his bag at the Masters when he won his first major, didn’t have any in his bag for the U.S. Open. He still managed to reach both par 5s on the back in two, both times settling for birdie on his way to a 71.

“I felt like with the fairways being firm like they were today, all I needed was a 3-wood,” Mickelson said.

Stranger still was the eclectic mix of players who managed to break par. Hicks is No. 722 in the world ranking, tied with Streelman, who is No. 608.

Right behind was Eric Axley (No. 503), who has bittersweet memories of this place. His caddie, Steve DuPlantis, was killed by a car while crossing the street at the Buick Invitational. He shot 69 and was tied with Stuart Appleby and Rocco Mediate.

Also 2 under as they finished their rounds were former U.S. Open champions Geoff Ogilvy and Ernie Els. AP