Woods makes cut, Mickelson takes lead at US PGA
IN: News | US PGA | US PGA Championship (2005) | Round Two | by Bruce Young | 13 Aug 2005
Phil Mickelson might well have stolen a winning break on the field in round two of the USPGA Championship but there is every reason to believe there are a lot more twists and turns ahead before he can comfortably assume the crown of PGA Champion.
Mickelson was out early today and took full advantage of the near perfect early conditions, especially early in his round, when he scorched through the front nine in 31 including an eagle at his 9th hole from 20 feet. He looked at that stage as if he might put an almost impossible margin between himself and the field but golf has a funny way of keeping things in check.
At the first hole (his 10th) he double bogeyed when he drove it into the rough then hit a poor pitch from the greenside rough. He bounced back quickly though with three more birdies before he finished round two and at eight under, his three shot lead over Jerry Kelly is already appearing ominous for those behind.
Playing in the afternoon draw on day two, Kelly matched Mickelson's 65 with a near faultless, bogey-free, display. He hasn't exactly starred this season on the PGA Tour, recording just one top ten in 20 starts in 2005. His record in majors is ordinary also, having yet to record a top ten in any major championship despite 48 top ten's in his regular tour career. The weekend therefore presents both a great opportunity but also, perhaps, giddy heights for the 38-year-old.
Those lined up at four under and just four back of Mickelson are Davis Love III, Rory Sabbatini and Lee Westwood. Sabbatini has a double incentive this week. Currently ranked in 16th position on the International Presidents Cup list, if Sabbatini is able to continue to challenge this weekend he has a great chance of catching the eye of his fellow countryman and International Team Captain Gary Player for a possible wild card selection. He will need to do something very special, but two years ago Tim Clark faced a similar situation at this event, finished third, and made the team.
Davis Love has played a lot better in 2005 than might be initially thought. He has had seven top tens in 17 starts including his two runner up finishes at the Booz Allen and at his favourite event, The Heritage, but importantly was 6th at the US Open when finishing strongly in the closing stages. His long ball game is suited around here and he may well be one who Mickelson will need to be watching over his shoulder for as the tournament progresses.
Lee Westwood has surprised somewhat although his recent form has hardly been bad. He missed the cut at the Open Championship but prior to that there were some signs of life. He carries the burden of no European having won this event in the modern era, but he has made the sort of start to give him a chance.
It might yet be that the man who Mickelson will have to keep both eyes on is Vijay Singh. Today Singh putted a lot better and, despite a last hole bogey, he will feel he is very much in the thick of things. One false step by the leader will see his lead close quickly and Singh is well placed to take advantage of any such hiccup.
Stuart Appleby has done marvellously well to bounce back from two missed cuts and a rather ordinary year to contend here. He enjoyed a solid round today after he worked on eliminating mistakes and when he got into trouble he took his medicine rather than try the hero shot. He is playing smart and if his game can hold up he might challenge his previous best USPGA finish when 4th in 2000.
Those at two under, and certainly not out of it, include Retief Goosen, Steve Elkington and Geoff Ogilvy. Goosen now has a chance to put pressure on from behind the leaders rather than try and maintain a lead which he has struggled with a couple of times this season, more especially at the US Open. He appears to be going quietly about his business which is not unusual for him and an under par round tomorrow should have him still in touch going into Sunday.
Steve Elkington is playing near his best right now. His season has been sprinkled with good finishes and like Sabbatini he now has a chance to make a real statement to Gary Player regarding the Presidents Cup selection. He is a long way down on the points table in that regard, but Player would love to have someone of Elkington's experience in the team, especially in the absence of Ernie Els. If Elkington can find a way to finish inside the top three or four here, then Player will have further reason to choose him.
Geoff Ogilvy follows his fine fifth placing at the Open Championship with yet another good start here. It might be a bit much to expect him to contend on Sunday but this is a much more experienced and smarter player now and a continuation of this form is not beyond him. Until this season, this was the one major in which he had played well and it may be that another good week tournament is ahead of him.
There are many others between two under and even par and perhaps beyond who could still be considered chances dependant on what Mickelson does from this point on.
One man that is 'beyond' is of course Tiger Woods, who put up a courageous and typically never give up performance to shoot 33 on the way in, including a birdie at the last, to just make the cut. Woods thrilled the huge gallery at the now notorious 650 yard par five 17th when he drove it almost 350 yards and, with his three wood second, flew the ball more than 280 yards. It just missed the green left and jumped left across the bunker coming to rest against the bank on the other side of the trap. He was forced to pitch sideways out of the bunker and the resultant bogey then had him outside the cut line. It was strange decision in many ways, perhaps brought on by his anger at his misfortune, as it appeared that to pitch it back long the bunker may have given him a better chance to make par. He then hit a superb tee shot at the last and then a mid iron to fifteen feet and although he did not make eagle, his two putt birdie keeps him in the tournament and, no doubt in his mind, not yet out if it.
Of the other Australasians, Mark Hensby, for the fourth time in 2005, is again is in the mix in a major. At one under par he has further displayed his considerable talent and strength of mind.
Michael Campbell is hanging around at one over and just six back of second place. He played with Woods on day one and two and it may be that in a quieter group on Saturday he can launch a bid. Campbell's body language understandably is that of a changed man since his US Open win.
Adam Scott bounced back to make the cut by one and, although his chance of challenging appears slim at best, he has done well to remain in the event for the weekend.
There were several less than impressive Australian performances by those who were expected to do better. Nick O'Hern, who is currently in 9th position on the Presidents Cup list, will be anxiously watching from his hotel room this weekend to see if he can retain his position inside the top ten of those who will automatically become International Team members. It appears likely that if he does not then he may struggle to gain the nod of Gary Player as a Captain's pick.
Peter Lonard might also have missed his chance to make the team. His second round of 76 today saw him miss the cut by three and that will ensure that he needs to rely on Captain Player's generosity if he is to make the team. That is perhaps unlikely give some lack lustre performances of late. The three week break he took in Australia in the past month probably caught up with him today. Lonard struggled from the start of the round when opening up with three consecutive bogeys.
The other Australian to do his Presidents Cup chances harm was Robert Allenby who must surely have lost any faint hope of a captains pick with his ordinary week. He missed the cut by six. There had been a feeling that after Allenby's fourth at the Buick Open his chances were good but Player can't justify his selection now.
The weekend at Baltusrol is therefore one of much intrigue. There are tournaments within tournaments although the only one that Mickelson is interested in is the one that has the Wanamaker Trophy as its reward. There are many high quality players ready to pounce should the left hander make a mistake. With a golf course that is likely to get more demanding over the weekend, Mickelson may only need to shoot a collective par for his final 36 holes. In the circumstances that may be much easier said then done.
Photo - Anthony Powter
