TROON, SCOTLAND - JULY 15: Phil Mickelson of the United States acknowledges the crowd after putting on the 18th green during the second round on day two of the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon on July 15, 2016 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Phil Mickelson set the bar absurdly high Thursday with his opening-round 63 at the British Open. But he kept rolling on a rainy Friday, posting a second-round 69 to remain atop the leaderboard at 10 under.
It was the first time in his career he started the first two rounds of the major with scores in the 60s.
Mickelson didn't suffer his first bogey of the tournament until the 12th hole Friday, and he came within inches of acing the eighth hole (ditto for Martin Kaymer):
In all, Lefty had four birdies, two bogeys and 12 pars to take a two-shot lead into the clubhouse.
After eight holes, Mickelson had a five-shot lead. But then came the bogeys, which opened the door for the rest of the field.
Henrik Stenson made a late charge after Mickelson had wrapped up his round to move to within one shot of the lead. Stenson shot a 6-under 65 on Friday -- the best score of the morning.
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