Mickelson flirts with another record at WMPO
Feb. 1, 2013 - 7:25 PM ET
Overnight leader Phil Mickelson answered his opening 60 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open with a 6-under-par 33-32=65 in his second round to post the 36-hole lead at 17-under 125.
On the whole, that's an impressive number at any midpoint, but for the second straight day he walked off TPC Scottsdale wondering what could have been. Mickelson hit 15 greens today and poured in an eagle and six birdies. The most notable par breaker was his first, a birdie from 23'11" at the seventh hole. He'd step onto the tee at the par-4 18th in bogey-free 19-under and needing only par to establish the PGA TOUR record for low 36 holes to begin a tournament. Alas, he leaked a 3-wood into the pond left of the fairway. After taking a drop, his approach landed short and spun back off the putting surface. A so-so chip left him 7'2" from the cup, but he'd two-putt and fail to even tie the record. At the time he signed his card, he held a four-stroke lead.
