Phil Mickelson is on course to claim back-to-back wins after a 70 left him with a one-shot lead at the halfway point of the Northern Trust Open.
Mickelson maintains lead as he looks for back-to-back wins
Phil Mickelson remains on course to claim back-to-back victories after a second round of 70 left him with a one-shot lead at the halfway point of the Northern Trust Open.
The four-time major champion set the pace on day one at Riviera Country Club with a five-under 66 and, although he could not hit such heights again, he battled hard to ensure he maintained his place at the head of the pack.
His latest rival for the title, which would follow on from his win at Pebble Beach last weekend, is Pat Perez, who shot the best round of the day with a 65.
Should Mickelson win, he will back-up for the fourth time in his career and claim his third victory at the event having also walked away with the title in 2008 and 2009.
The confident 41-year-old knows success is there for him should he be able to go low over the second half of the tournament.
"I've got to go out and shoot some low scores because they're out there, but I gave myself a good opportunity, which is what's so fun about competing and playing the tour is those opportunities on the weekend," Mickelson told the PGA Tour's official website.
Five men occupy third spot going into the third round, with Jimmy Walker, Matt Kuchar, Carl Petterson, Jarrod Lyle and Jonathan Byrd all just two back, while Bubba Watson is one of a trio a shot further adrift on three-under.
Battled hard
"I salvaged a good round today," Mickelson added of his performance.
Perez, meanwhile, was not overly-impressed with his showing, having hit just five of 18 fairways, despite his impressive tally.
"I didn't hit it like you'd think I would," Perez said. "I didn't drive it all that great. I just scrambled well. I put myself in the right places to make par or birdie."
A second one-under round of the tournament leaves England's Justin Rose looking at the lead from just four shots away, but Luke Donald is six behind having dropped a shot on Friday on his way to a 72 that leaves him at level-par for the championship.
With eight players on the course when darkness fell, the cut has not been entirely confirmed, although Sergio Garcia is expected to make it despite crashing to a five-over 76 today.
Two-over Padraig Harrington should also make the grade after a one-under 70 on Friday, but American Ryder Cup hopeful Anthony Kim will not.
At 13-over for the championship after rounds of 78 and 77 he was never likely to be in with a chance, but after signing his scorecard incorrectly he was removed from the tournament.
