Mickelson Continues Mastery in Phoenix


Were it not for a double-bogey on the last hole, Phil Mickelson would be without a dropped shot through 36 holes at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Despite that blip, the 42-year-old is still well in front of the $6.2 million PGA Tour event, which began Thursday at TPC Scottsdale.

Mickelson was rolling along nicely in the second round. After two birdies on the front nine, he reeled off three more in the first four holes on the home half and then eagled the par-5 15th. Another birdie on the par-4 17th took him to 8-under. But his drive on the closing hole found water and he ended up with a six and a 7-under 65.

With his tournament-record-tying 11-under 60 on Thursday, Mickelson stands at 17-under 125, four strokes in front of Bill Haas, who's carded rounds of 65 and 64, and five ahead of Keegan Bradley (63) and Brandt Snedeker (66).

Mickelson is well within reach of breaking the tournament's all-time-low 72-mark of 28-under 256, established by Mark Calcavecchia 12 years ago. He's relishing the opportunity to continue to press the pedal to the metal because he knows the remainder of the field isn't slowing down in what's turning out to be a birdie-fest.

"I think it's very possible that's going to help me because it's got me refocused, that I cannot ease up on a single shot," said Mickelson, who tied Calcavecchia's 36-hole score of 125.

"These guys are going to make a lot of birdies and I've got to get after it and cannot make those kinds of mistakes. Hopefully, it'll help me refocus for tomorrow's round and come out and shoot something low."

Sharing fifth at 11-under 131 are Angel Cabrera (65), Charlie Wi (63) and Brian Gay (66). Gay won the Humana Challenge two weeks ago.

The cut was set at 4-under 138. Among those heading home is defending champion, Kyle Stanley. The Gig Harbor, Wash., native continued his early season woes after posting rounds of 67 and 71.

For complete scoring details, visit http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/waste-management-phoenix-open/leaderboard.html.