Mickelson falters but Tiger's on the prowl

It turned out to be Phil Mickelson rather than Tiger Woods who had the bigger struggle to survive the cut in the Cialis Western Open in Illinois today.

Woods, down in 82nd place after a one-over-par 72, birdied four of his first six holes and with a 67 moved up some 50 places.

But Mickelson, one off the lead following his opening 67, bogeyed four of his first five holes and with a 74 for one under only just squeezed into the closing two rounds at Cog Hill.

Three-time winner Woods, who has never missed two successive cuts in his career, reached halfway on three under, but is still seven adrift of leader Daniel Chopra.

The Swede returned his second successive 66 thanks to a back-nine 30 including seven birdies, the last of them a holed bunker shot on the 18th. Chopra, chasing his first US Tour victory, is two ahead of world number three Vijay Singh.

Woods is playing just his second event since the Masters and the death of his father. Three weeks ago he had two 76s to bow out of the US Open.

Playing partner Luke Donald, who finished his first-round 70 with a double bogey six, battled back into contention with a 67. On five under he was in a tie for 10th spot after a round that contained seven birdies, but also three bogeys.