Champion Wetterich shares clubhouse lead

Brett Wetterich is not prepared to concede his EDS Byron Nelson Championship title without a fight.

At least it certainly looked that way on Friday as he carded a steady two-under-par 68 in the second round at Cottonwood Valley.

Two birdies and 16 pars were enough to give Wetterich a share of the clubhouse lead with Fredrik Jacobson on six under, one stroke ahead of Kent Jones.

“Anytime you don’t make a bogey it’s a good day,” said Wetterich, a member of last year’s losing United States Ryder Cup team.

“There could have been a few more birdies but I also could have made a couple of bogeys. I made two good pars and that kept my round going.”

Phil Mickelson, meanwhile, finished poorly for the second successive day, dropping two shots on the back nine to shoot 70 for a one-under total of 139.

“I played okay, but I missed five putts inside six feet,” the world number four said.

“That’s what hurt but I shot even par and I’ve got a shot at it this weekend.

“I’ve got to go low tomorrow because there are a number of guys around the lead.”