Mickelson moves into lead

Phil Mickelson fired an 11-under-par 60 – the best official round of his career – to grab a share of the lead after the second round of the weather-delayed FBR Open in Scottsdale.

Mickelson, who bettered the 61 he shot in the third round of the 2001 Greater Hartford Open, matched the course record at the TPC of Scottsdale shared by Grant Waite (1996) and Mark Calcavecchia (2001).

“It feels terrific to shoot 60 to get back in the tournament,” said Mickelson, who shot a two-over 73 in windy conditions on Thursday.

“I would have taken 65 and been four or five off the lead going into the weekend. Instead, I’m on top of it.”

The reigning Masters champion took advantage of benign conditions, completing 36 holes at nine under on 133 to pull into a tie with Kevin Na, who fired a bogey-free 65.

“He just kept moving up,” Na said. “I thought, ’Is this guy going to shoot 59 again?”’

Mickelson shot the magical 59 three months ago in the final round of the Grand Slam of Golf, an unofficial two-round event played under PGA Tour rules.

Starting on the back nine, Mickelson made the turn in 31, then played the front in 29.

His bogey-free round included nine birdies and an eagle on the par-four 17th hole.

Germany’s Bernhard Langer, who stepped down as European Ryder Cup captain earlier this week, shot a 66 and is tied for third at six under on 136 alongside Michael Allen, who also shot 66.

They are one shot better than a group of nine that includes Shaun Micheel, David Toms and Kenny Perry.

Among those missing the cut at three-over 145 were Hal Sutton, Chris DiMarco and Justin Leonard, who won last week’s Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.