Farmers Insurance Open 2012 Leaderboard Update: Spencer Levin, Kyle Stanley Lead; Phil Mickelson Struggles

Conditions were ripe for scoring on Thursday as the 2012 Farmers Insurance Open got underway at Torrey Pines. And judging from the leaderboard, the North Course was the place to be as the field flip-flops over the first two days -- those that played the South Course on Thursday get the easier task, at least in theory, on Friday. Of those near the top of the leaderboard, 16 were on the North Course, with just one playing South Course to open the tournament --Marc Turnesa, who sits four shots back.

Spencer Levin and Kyle Stanley each fired 10-under 62s on Thursday to surge to the top of the leaderboard. They share the lead by a stroke, with Bill Haas, who finished with a 9-under 63, in hot pursuit. Four players, including Vijay Singh, are two shots back of the lead after one round, sharing a tie for third-place at 8-under.

Among the other notables, Phil Mickelson was eaten alive by the South Course and sits at 5-over after an opening round 77. He’s two shots out of dead last, an honor captured by Tommy Gainey, who also played the South Course. Bubba Watson is tied for 37th after a first-round 69 on the North Course.