Phil Mickelson carded a seven-under 64 on Friday to open a two-shot lead over Justin Leonard and Davis Love III after the second round of the $4million tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina. Mickelson's total of 12-under 129 is a career low for 36 holes, bettering his previous best of 131.
After posting a 66 on Thursday, Mickelson got off to a slow start on day two, bogeying the 10th hole, his first of the day. But he rebounded with birdies on 11, 12 and 15 to make the turn at 2-under. Mickelson, who finished third behind Tiger Woods at The Masters last week, birdied the first hole, then eagled the second and notched consecutive birdies on five and six and closed with a birdie as well to take the halfway lead.
Leonard also carded a 64 and moved up from a tie for ninth at the start of the day. Love, who has won this event four times, followed a putting tip from his brother to shoot a 62 on Thursday. But he cooled off on Friday, settling for a two-under 69 that included birdies on the final two holes.
Lee Janzen is alone in fourth at 10-under, one shot ahead of Cameron Beckman, Billy Mayfair and Angel Cabrera. Beckman posted the low round of the day, firing an eight-under 63 to climb from a tie for 38th. Ten players are tied for eighth at seven-under, including Australian Greg Norman and Billy Andrade, who began the round alone in second place, two shots behind Love III.
Filed by Shane Murray
