GOLF UPDATE: Phil Mickelson continued to lead the way in the early stages of the second round of the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club in California.
After a sizzling opening 63, the left-hander made the best possible start to his second round with an eagle three at the first. Some of the shine was immediately taken off when he bogeyed the next, but at nine-under, he was still one ahead Tommy Armour and Steve Stricker.
Armour carded a 66 while Stricker went one better and both shared second on eight-under.
It has been a welcome, if not surprising, return to form for Mickelson, who has not finished higher than 42nd in his first three events of the PGA Tour season.
Graeme McDowell mixed three birdies with three bogeys in a level par round of 71 that left the 29-year-old right on the projected cut mark of one-under.
Pádraig Harrington’s situation was a lot worse as the three-time major winner was in need of birdies, and quickly, if he is to make the cut. The Dubliner started the day on one-over and dropped to three-over with two bogeys in his opening four holes.
Harrington has struggled with his game since landing in the States last week and missed the cut at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He has been uncharacteristically wayward off the tee at times and erratic with his irons.
