PHIL MICKELSON RETAINED control of the 145th Open Championship with a second-round 69, as the likes of Henrik Stenson and reigning champion Zach Johnson improved their positions at Royal Troon.
Phil Mickelson PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
A stunning 63 from Mickelson had provided the highlight of an opening day that saw countless players take advantage of benign conditions.
However, bright blue skies gave way to persistent rain today and an even tougher challenge was in prospect for the later starters.
Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy were among those afternoon starters battling the elements. But neither could match their first round score. McIlroy carded four birdies, but gave them all back on a horrible run from the ninth to 13th.
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Peter Byrne
Peter Byrne
Harrington carded a one-over-par 72 today to leave him even in the tournament. Darren Clarke is just one further back and Graeme McDowell’s excellent front nine was complete with four birdies, enough of a cushion to keep him at even par for the day and just inside the cut as two bogeys and a double after the turn left him at +4.
He’s in good company on that score, joined by fellow Major winners Jordan Spieth, Danny Willett, Bubba Watson and Jim Furyk. But for Shane Lowry and Paul Dunne, the damage had been done in the opening round and they will leave Troon before the weekend.
PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Mickelson therefore holds a strong hand having reached the clubhouse at 10 under, one clear of Stenson, who was six under for his second round.
Soren Kjeldsen (68) is two shots further back at seven-under along with Keegan Bradley, while Patrick Reed – who headed the leaderboard for much of the first day – fell away with a three-over-par round of 74.
Swedish golfer Henrik Stenson Matt Dunham
Matt Dunham
The champion at Muirfield three years ago, Mickelson initially opened up a five-stroke advantage at 11 under today when birdies at the fourth and seventh were followed by his second successive gain on the short eighth – the left-hander again coming close to a hole-in-one at the Postage Stamp.
Phil Mickelson collects his ball after making a birdie at the Postage Stamp hole PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Errant tee shots at 12 and 15 saw the leader finally drop his first shots of the tournament, but those errors came either side of another birdie on the 14th – his fifth two of the week.
After Stenson had closed to within two by birdieing the 13th, Mickelson then produced a superb up-and-down from a greenside bunker to save par on 17, before making four at the last to complete another fine day’s work.
Mickelson still the man to catch at The Open after his second round but Stenson closing in
Updated 20.00
PHIL MICKELSON RETAINED control of the 145th Open Championship with a second-round 69, as the likes of Henrik Stenson and reigning champion Zach Johnson improved their positions at Royal Troon.
A stunning 63 from Mickelson had provided the highlight of an opening day that saw countless players take advantage of benign conditions.
However, bright blue skies gave way to persistent rain today and an even tougher challenge was in prospect for the later starters.
Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy were among those afternoon starters battling the elements. But neither could match their first round score. McIlroy carded four birdies, but gave them all back on a horrible run from the ninth to 13th.
Harrington carded a one-over-par 72 today to leave him even in the tournament. Darren Clarke is just one further back and Graeme McDowell’s excellent front nine was complete with four birdies, enough of a cushion to keep him at even par for the day and just inside the cut as two bogeys and a double after the turn left him at +4.
He’s in good company on that score, joined by fellow Major winners Jordan Spieth, Danny Willett, Bubba Watson and Jim Furyk. But for Shane Lowry and Paul Dunne, the damage had been done in the opening round and they will leave Troon before the weekend.
Mickelson therefore holds a strong hand having reached the clubhouse at 10 under, one clear of Stenson, who was six under for his second round.
Soren Kjeldsen (68) is two shots further back at seven-under along with Keegan Bradley, while Patrick Reed – who headed the leaderboard for much of the first day – fell away with a three-over-par round of 74.
The champion at Muirfield three years ago, Mickelson initially opened up a five-stroke advantage at 11 under today when birdies at the fourth and seventh were followed by his second successive gain on the short eighth – the left-hander again coming close to a hole-in-one at the Postage Stamp.
Errant tee shots at 12 and 15 saw the leader finally drop his first shots of the tournament, but those errors came either side of another birdie on the 14th – his fifth two of the week.
After Stenson had closed to within two by birdieing the 13th, Mickelson then produced a superb up-and-down from a greenside bunker to save par on 17, before making four at the last to complete another fine day’s work.
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