Amateur Taylor is looking like a real pro

Phil Mickelson, who has said his family is taking a vacation “somewhere tropical’’ this week before his wife, Amy, begins treatment for breast cancer, was tied for 12th after a second-round 70. But with the weather possibly pushing the tournament past today, Mickelson was asked if a prolonged Open would interfere with their plans. “I won’t have as much turnover time as soon as I get home,’’ he said. “But that’s fine. We’re still going to go.’’ . . . Michael Welch and Kevin Silva, the only Massachusetts players in the field, missed the cut. Welch, from Quincy, shot 76 in the second round for a two-round total of 9 over par. He can blame a balky putter; Welch took 65 putts over 36 holes. Silva, who began the second round at 8 over, got off to a quick start, making birdies on the first and fourth holes and making the turn at 6 over, within striking distance of the cut. But the 25-year-old from New Bedford couldn’t keep up the pace, making four bogeys coming in, including on the par-4 18th. Silva shot 72, and finished at 10 over.

Who is Azuma Yano, and how did he put himself on the first page of the leaderboard? Yano, 31, won twice on the Japanese Tour last year, getting into the US Open field by finishing second on that tour’s money list. He has looked comfortable in his first US Open, shooting a second-round 65 to position himself five shots back at 3 under. “I didn’t expect anything,’’ said Yano, who made six birdies in his second round. “I wanted to pass the cut, that was my first goal. As I recognize I’m doing very well, I’m going to keep on doing it.’’ . . . Ernie Els had missed only one cut on the PGA Tour this year, with three top-10 finishes, including an eighth at the Memorial. He made short work of his week here, though, shooting 78-77 and missing the cut by a mile. This, despite being on the good side of the draw, playing his first and second rounds with no rain. Other notables sent home after 36 holes included David Toms, Justin Leonard, Stuart Appleby, and Paul Casey, ranked third in the world . . . David Duval had four back-nine birdies, reversing a second round that had started Friday with four bogeys over his first six holes. A birdie on the 18th hole gave Duval an even-par 70 and a two-round total of 3 under, which left him tied for fourth, five shots back . . . Forty-two players in the US Open are scheduled to compete in this week’s Travelers Championship near Hartford, and it was thought that the uncertainty of when the Open would finish might lead some to withdraw. But Nathan Grube, tournament director for the Travelers, said no one backed out by the Friday deadline. Sergio Garcia, Kenny Perry, Vijay Singh, and Zach Johnson are expected to play. Billy Andrade has received a sponsor’s exemption.

Former baseball star Darryl Strawberry, dressed in a Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey, jean shorts, and sandals, and escorted by a police officer, was on the scene, signing autographs . . . A European hasn’t won the US Open since England’s Tony Jacklin in 1970. Halfway through this year’s event, Swede Peter Hanson was closest to the lead, tied for fourth at 3 under . . . Miguel Angel Jimenez was on the putting green in front of the clubhouse minutes before his second-round tee time, puffing away on a long cigar . . . Simon Dyson eagled No. 1 in the second round, holing a wedge from 110 yards. Gary Woodland and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano made eagles on the par-5 fourth hole . . . D.J. Trahan was forced to putt with his driver after damaging his putter during his second round . . . Sean O’Hair, whose wife, Jackie, is due any day with their third child, hasn’t been distracted on the course, sitting 2 under and tied for seventh through two rounds. He has hinted that he’ll leave the tournament if she goes into labor.