Mickelson makes his move
Tuning up for his Masters defense, Phil Mickelson shot a 7-under-par 65 yesterday to move within a stroke of leader Scott McCarron in the rain-delayed
McCarron, the 1997 and 2001 winner at the TPC at Sugarloaf, shot his second straight 69 for a 6-under 138 total.
The second round was suspended because of darkness with 32 players still on the course. The round will finish this morning before the final round begins.
Mickelson, the No. 4 player in the world and the Tour's leading money-winner, had the best round of the tournament as conditions improved with sun, temperatures in the low 60s, and wind of 15-20 miles per hour. He holed a 26-yard pitch for eagle on the 310-yard, par-4 13th, and had six birdies in the round.
Mickelson opened the day tied for 61st after a 74 Saturday in the opening round that was plagued by rain, sleet, snow, and 40 m.p.h. wind. Rain washed out play Thursday and Friday, forcing PGA Tour officials to shorten the tournament to 54 holes.
"I knew I needed to do something. I was fortunate to be able to do it and at least have a chance going into tomorrow," said Mickelson.
Jose Maria Olazabal (69) and first-round co-leader Billy Mayfair (69) matched Mickelson at 5 under, and Arron Oberholser (68), Tag Ridings (68), Brian Bateman (68), Joey Snyder (69), and Rich Beem (70) were 4 under.
Two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen (69) was 3 under in a group that included defending champion Zach Johnson (66).
Mickelson is one of the 19 players remaining in the field who will play in the Masters, beginning Thursday at Augusta National.
"I enjoy being able to play a competitive round closer to the start of the Masters," Mickelson said. "I love playing the week before a major and I love how this tournament has set up the course as close as Augusta as possible."
European -- Paul Broadhurst won the Portugal Open in Cascais by one stroke for his first European Tour victory in 10 years. Broadhurst, 39, had seven birdies and three bogeys in a final-round 67 to finish 13 under at the par-71 Oitavos course near Lisbon.
He last picked up a tour trophy at the 1995 French Open.
