|
|
|
| April 2, 2006 | Sunday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 3, 1427 |
Mickelson maintains 6-shot lead
DULUTH (Georgia), April 1: Holder Phil Mickelson maintained his recent red-hot form by charging to a six-shot lead in the Classic second round on Friday. On a second successive morning of relatively calm weather at the TPC at Sugarloaf, the world number four reeled off seven birdies in a blemish-free display for a seven-under-par 65.
Chasing his first victory of the year and a second BellSouth title, the American left-hander finished on a tournament record two-round total of 16-under 128.
The previous mark was 15-under 129, set by compatriot Larry Nelson in 1988 when the event was played at Atlanta Country Club.
Mickelson’s 36-hole tally was also the best of his PGA Tour career, eclipsing the 15-under 129 he shot at last year’s Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
American J.J. Henry, who played in breezier afternoon conditions, matched Mickelsons 65 to sit second, with twice U.S. Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal a further stroke back in third after a best-of-the-day 64.
Australia’s Gavin Coles, one off the pace at the start of the day after an opening 64, returned a level-par 72 for fourth place at eight-under 136.
Of the other big names in the field, world number three Retief Goosen carded a 70 to finish level with Ireland’s Padraig Harrington in a tie for 12th at five under, four shots better than Sony Open champion David Toms, who returned a 68.
The halfway cut fell at even-par 144 with 79 players qualifying for the weekend.
Among those missing out were 2006 PGA Tour money leader Rory Sabbatini of South Africa, Spanish Ryder Cup player Miguel Angel Jimenez and American world number 11 Chris DiMarco, back in action this week after injuring a rib on a skiing holiday.
Leading second round scores:
128 — Phil Mickelson (US) 63, 65.
134 — J.J. Henry (US) 69, 65.
135 — Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) 71, 64.
136 — Gavin Coles (Australia) 64, 72.
137 — Charles Warren (US) 65, 72; Jonathan Byrd (US) 69, 68; Shane Bertsch (US) 68, 69.
138 — Duffy Waldorf (US) 72, 66; Ian Poulter (Britain) 66, 72; Ryuji Imada (Japan) 71, 67; Luke Donald (Britain) 68, 70.
139 — Dudley Hart (US) 70, 69; David Howell (Britain) 67, 72; Brian Gay (US) 70, 69; Zach Johnson (US) 69, 70; Joe Durant (US) 66, 73; Chris Smith (US) 69, 70; Retief Goosen (South Africa) 69, 70; Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 68, 71; Steve Flesch (US) 71, 68; Mark Wilson (US) 68, 71; Will MacKenzie (US) 69, 70; B.J. Staten (US) 70, 69.
140 — Larry Mize (US) 71, 69; Davis Love III (US) 71, 69; Marco Dawson (US) 72, 68; Boyd Summerhays (US) 68, 72; Brent Geiberger (US) 70, 70; Roger Tambellini (US) 69, 71.
PENINA (Portugal): Britain’s Paul Broadhurst compared his three-under-par 69 to a trip to the dentist after stretching his lead to two shots in the Portuguese Open second round on Friday.
Last year’s winner Broadhurst, 40, who began the day one ahead of the field, finished with an 11-under total of 133.
Christian Cevaer (69), bidding to make it back-to-back French wins after compatriot Jean Van de Velde’s success in last week’s Madeira Island Open, was in second place.
Swede Christian Nilsson survived a lost-ball timing incident on the 12th on his way to a 71 that left him third on 136. Two more Swedes, Jarmo Sandelin and Mattias Eliasson, were a stroke further back.
Leading second round scores:
133 — Paul Broadhurst (Britain) 64, 69.
135 — Christian Cevaer (France) 66, 69.
136 — Christian Nilsson (Sweden) 65, 71.
137 — Mattias Eliasson (Sweden) 70, 67; Jarmo Sandelin (Sweden) 67, 70.
138 — Warren Abery (South Africa) 72, 66; Gary Clark (Britain) 71, 67; Paul Lawrie (Britain) 68, 70, Steven O’Hara (Britain 71, 67; Anthony Wall (Britain) 71, 67.
139 — Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) 68, 71; Niclas Fasth (Sweden) 71, 68; Ricardo Gonzalez (Argentina) 73, 66; Soren Kjeldsen (Denmark) 74, 65; Andres Romero (Argentina) 69, 70; Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) 69, 70; Carl Suneson (Spain) 67, 72.
140 — Miguel Carballo (Argentina) 69, 71; Richard Finch (Britain) 67, 73; Rafael Gomez (Argentina) 68, 72; Soren Hansen (Denmark) 69, 71; Michael Hoey (Northern Ireland) 73, 67.—Agencies
|
|
|
|
