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Mickelson birdied the fourth, seventh and eighth holes in the
second round at Royal Troon, moving to 11 under par, five clear
of his nearest challenger.
The 46-year-old American looked as if he wanted another shot at
the 62 he just missed on Thursday, when he had to content
himself with a 63 and a mere share of the record low in a major.
Behind him on Friday was Dane Soren Kjeldsen who collected
birdies on four and six to reach six under.
Zach Johnson, the defending champion, birdied the second and
fourth but then bogeyed the fifth, leaving him at five under.
The second day at Troon was supposed to be far different to the
first day, when the sun shone, the climate was balmy and the
breeze gentle.
Thick clouds, driving rain, plunging temperatures and fierce
gales were forecast for Friday and scores were expected to
deteriorate accordingly.
But for the early starters, at least, conditions remained
relatively benign. The sky darkened but the wind remained
manageable and the temperature bearable.
Rain was practically non-existent, by the usual standards of the
west coast of Scotland.
The real difference from Thursday was the wind's change of
direction, from out of the north to out of the south.
That meant golfers were hitting into the wind on the outward
nine on Friday and will be hitting downwind on the inward nine.
Early in the day, that was not an issue, for the most part.
Things might change if it blows harder later in the day.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
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