Golf:Phil Mickelson could not extend his overnight lead as he set a target of six under par at the end of his second round at the Northern Trust Open in Pacific Palisades, California.

Mickelson carded a five-under 66 yesterday to lead by one from fellow Americans JB Holmes and Hunter Mahan and, though he could not match that, a one-under 70 was enough for him to keep his nose in front midway through day two.

It would have been worse but for an eagle at the eighth — his 17th after starting at the 10th — as until then he had mixed two birdies with a couple of bogeys.

And another bogey on his final hole meant his nearest challenger, Sweden’s Carl Pettersson after Holmes and Mahan both endured difficult mornings, was only one stroke behind.

While Pettersson was two under through 16 to sit five under overall, Holmes was two over for his round to sit two under overall, while Mahan was back at level par after going four over today, the low point a double bogey at the par-five 11th.

America’s Jimmy Walker pulled himself into contention at four under after a 66 today, with Matt Kuchar alongside him thanks to a second straight 69.

England’s Luke Donald and Justin Rose, one under overnight, were among the later starters, while Padraig Harrington was one under through 15 to sit two over, with the cut projected at three over.

That was exactly the mark at which Sergio Garcia sat after a five-over round which included six bogeys.