Phil Mickelson weathered the storm and retained the lead in the 145th Open Championship.
Mickelson, who tied the major championship record with an 8-under-par 63 in the first round, came back with a 69 in much more difficult conditions and was one stroke ahead of Henrik Stenson of Sweden after two rounds at Royal Troon Golf Club in South Ayrshire, Scotland.
“I kind of saw the shot the last two days and I got a little bit more aggressive to that pin than is probably smart,” said the 46-year-old Mickelson, who relied on his 2-iron for many of his tee shots. “But it’s paid off.
“That 2-iron that I hit … is taking a lot of stress for me away from my tee shots. I feel like if I have to get one in the fairway, I’ve got a club and a shot that I could do fairly easily and consistently, and that has led to me playing well in the elements today and hopefully in the winds that we’ll have tomorrow.”
Stenson, trying to become the first Swedish man to claim a major golf title, posted a brilliant 65 that included four birdies in a span of five holes through No. 7 and had his only bogey on the final hole of the front nine.
Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark carded a bogey-free 68 and was three shots back in a tie for third with Keegan Bradley, who made two late birdies in his own 68, and defending champion Zach Johnson was two more back in solo fifth after a 70.
Charl Schwartzel of South Africa birdied five of the first seven holes in a 66 and was six strokes behind in a tie for sixth with Sergio Garcia (70) of Spain, Bill Haas (70), Tony Finau (71) and Andrew Johnston (69) of England.
Matt Kuchar shot 68 and was seven back in a tie for 11th, while U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson had a 69 and was another shot back in a tie for 15th that included fourth-ranked Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who finished at 71.
Rickie Fowler was nine shots back in a tie for 22nd following a 72, Adam Scott of Australia was one more down in a tie for 27th after a 73 and top-ranked Jason Day of Australia was 12 behind in a tie for 41st with a 70.
Third-ranked Jordan Spieth (75), Masters champion Danny Willett (75) of England and fifth-ranked Bubba Watson (76) all made the cut on the number, 14 strokes behind in a tie for 68th.
