Phil Mickelson has turned back time, for at least two days.
The soon-to-be 51-year-old left-hander put together another amazing nine-hole stretch early Friday as he played his final nine holes in just 31 shots and put a 69 on his scorecard. By day’s end, his five-under par total was good enough to share the halfway lead with major champion Louie Oosthuizen at the 103rd PGA Championship.
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island offered its toughest day Friday afternoon as winds blew steadily in the 15-20 mile-per-hour range and gusted higher too often for most. But Mickelson was finished early before the big gusts came up.
Mickelson has ditched his “paintbrush” putting grip this week and has gone back to strictly conventional and it has paid off through the first two rounds.
“I’m having a lot of fun, and to play well, to know I’m playing well heading into the weekend, to be in contention, to have a good opportunity, I’m having a blast. I’m excited for the weekend. This has been a lot of fun,” Mickelson said after his round.
Late in the day, Oosthuizen was working on another bogey-free round and was leading the tournament at six-under until he finally bogeyed the tough 18th when he couldn’t get up-and-down for par and joined Mickelson at five-under after rounds of 71-68. He tied Hideki Matsuyama for the day’s low round.
The weekend is shaping up to be a real battle. Winds are expected to calm a bit and Saturday should be a total free-for-all considering the talent lined up behind co-leaders Mickelson and Oosthuizen.
Here’s how the contenders are sitting:
Four-Under Par 140:
Brooks Koepka (69-71): Brooks fought through the worst of conditions Friday and a late bogey at the toughest hole on the course — the dreadful par three 17th, cost him a share of the 36-hole lead. Doesn’t matter to Brooks, he’s found his form, his knee appears in good enough shape for him to make a weekend run at a fifth major championship. He’s probably the man to beat.
Three-Under Par 141:
Hideki Matsuyama (73-68): The Masters champ is oozing with confidence. He tied Mickelson for the day’s low round and he played in the difficult afternoon conditions. Only man in the field with a chance to make the Grand Slam.
Branden Grace (70-71): He’s a very consistent player, doesn’t make many mistakes, which comes in handy on this golf course.
Christian Bezuidenhout (71-70): Did someone sneeze? Bezuidenhout! Well-known on the European Tour. Not so well-known in America.
Two-Under Par 142:
Paul Casey (71-71): Was a solid contender last year, finishing right behind Collin Morikawa. Solid ball-striker and it’s paying off for Casey.
Gary Woodland (70-72): The U.S. Open champ from two years ago is finally showing signs of life.
Corey Conners (67-75): Friday was a rough one for the Canadian.
Sungjae Im (70-72): A major championship won’t get him exempt from two-years service in the South Korean army. An Olympic medal will.
Kevin Streelman (70-72): No one saw this guy coming.
Things really start getting jammed up at one-under par.
Biggest name sitting four shots back is none other than Bryson DeChambeau (72-71). He’s been very steady and his putter has held him back yet there he is in position to challenge, especially if he starts making some putting. Others joining him in red figures include Jason Kokrak (71-72), Martin Laird (70-73), Harry Higgs (72-71), Richy Werensky (71-72), Charlie Hoffman (73-70) and Joaquin Niemann (71-72).
Anyone within six shots at a major at the halfway point is in contention and it’s an interesting group at even-par 144: Matt Fitzpatrick (73-71), European Ryder Cup captain Paddy Harrington (71-73), Ian Poulter (74-70), Shame Lowry (73-71), former champion Keegan Bradley (69-75) and young Viktor Hovland (68-75). A pair of double-bogeys on his card cost Hovland a chance to being up there with Koepka at four-under.
The race for the title is on.
Should be a great one over the final 36.
