The names at the top of the AT&T Pro-Am leaderboard may have most scratching their heads but the Prince of Pebble, the Marquis of Monterey is just one shot off the lead after 36 holes.
Phil Mickelson, as only Phil Mickelson can do, bogeyed his final hole of the day Friday at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club to fall out of the halfway lead.
Mickelson still managed to shoot a six-under par 65 on the easiest of the three courses, leaving him just one behind co-leaders Sung Kang of South Korea and Japan’s Hiroshi Iwata.
Mickelson started out fast on his round, he birdied four of his first five holes and turned in 29. He moved to seven-under for his round after an eagle at the par five 10th but two bogeys and a birdie coming hole gave him a disappointing 36 on the back nine.
Still, Mickelson is in great shape to contend for a possible fifth victory in this championship.
Joining him at 10-under were first round leader Chez Reavie and Freddie Jacobson. Justin Rose was two back and alone at nine-under.
Jason Day is the only big-name close to the leaders. He shot 66 at Monterey to get to six-under, five back.
Jordan Spieth was eight back at three-under, Bubba Watson is two-under while Dustin Johnson will have to play well on Saturday just to make the 54-hole cut. He’s at even par.
