Golf: Mickelson maintains lead

SCOTTSDALE: Phil Mickelson maintained a four-stroke lead at the Phoenix Open on Friday, despite denting an otherwise strong second round with a double bogey at the 18th hole.

Mickelson, who missed shooting golf’s magic number of 59 in the first round by only one shot, followed up with a six-under 65 for a 17-under total of 125. His stumble at the finish, however, meant he missed out on the US PGA Tour’s 36-hole scoring record.

Although he was disappointed to drop two shots at the TPC Scottsdale’s par-four finishing hole, Mickelson said the wobble could help him in the long run. “It’s very possible that’s going to help me because it’s got me refocused, that I cannot ease up on a single shot,” said Mickelson, who failed to reach the green with his approach at 18 and would have needed to hole out for the record.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2013.