Phil Mickelson hits his stride and takes 2-shot lead at Quail Hollow

Phil Mickelson watches his putt on the third hole during the second round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, May 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) (The Associated Press)

Phil Mickelson hits from the rough on the fifth hole during the second round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, May 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Phil Mickelson isn't having too much trouble at all with the greens at Quail Hollow.

Mickelson opened with two birdies and made back-to-back birdies late in his round for a 5-under 67 that gave him a two-shot lead going into the weekend at the Wells Fargo Championship. Through two rounds, he has taken only 50 putts.

Nick Watney, playing alongside Mickelson, made a few key par putts for a 70 and was in that the group two shots behind with George McNeill and 37-year-old tour rookie Scott Gardiner. Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood were another shot back.

The greens are so choppy that Sergio Garcia chose to chip a 5-foot putt because of a cleat mark. He made it, went on to a 68 and was five shots behind.