Fri Apr 11 16:48:38 2008

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Mickelson back in the hunt at Augusta

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Augusta, GA (Sports Network) - Phil Mickelson has won both of his green jackets in the last two even-numbered years.

That could be a good omen.

A better indication of possible success was his four-under 68 on Friday. That moved Mickelson to five-under par for the championship and only three shots out of the lead held by Trevor Immelman.

"I would love to be in the lead. You always like having shots in hand. But I would have had to kind of press the issue at some spots and I didn't want to do that yet," acknowledged Mickelson. "So I'm pleased that I have a good chance going into the weekend."

In Mickelson's previous Masters victories, he has never held the lead midway through the tournament. In 2004, Mickelson was tied for third place after 36 holes and two years later, he trailed Chad Campbell by four after two rounds.

"Well at least I'm working in the right direction, but I got a long ways to go and there's a bunch, a few players ahead of me and there's a bunch of strong players right behind me," said Mickelson.

With several players yet to finish the second round, Mickelson is tied for third place.

At the par-five second, Mickelson came up short and right of the green with his second. He pitched to three feet and converted the birdie putt. Mickelson made it two in a row from three feet and found himself three-under for the championship.

Mickelson missed the green left with his second at the par-five eighth and could do no better than eight feet with his third. He rolled in the birdie putt, then parred his next six holes.

He had a good look at birdie at the par-five 15th. Unfortunately, Mickelson missed a four-footer for birdie at the hole, but got a stroke thanks to a tricky, 30-foot birdie putt at 17.

There are some interesting names near the top of the leaderboard, but Mickelson's sticks out. He's the only major champion of anyone in the clubhouse at three-under or better.

"I've hit the ball well and I've been playing well, and I'm only a couple shots off the lead," said Mickelson. "I'll be able to play late in the afternoon on Saturday and hopefully on Sunday, as well.