Mickelson leads, McGinley retains Ryder hope

Phil Mickelson charged into an early lead at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational as second-round play got under way at the Firestone Country Club today.

The world number two was first out on the par-70 South Course this morning and immediately set about chasing down Retief Goosen’s four-under-par overnight lead.

Mickelson had shot an opening-round two-under-par 68 in Akron to trail Goosen by two strokes and, beginning at the 10th hole, birdied the 410-yard par four.

Another birdie at the par-four 14th saw him draw level with the South African at four-under as he reached the turn in 33.

That was when the left-handed American moved up a gear with birdies at the second and third holes to move clear by two shots after 12 holes, with Goosen set to start his second round at 1726 BST.

Also making a big move was Australia’s Stuart Appleby, who had begun the day at level-par and was at five-under having played 13 holes of his second round, posting six birdies and a bogey.

Meanwhile, three-time Ryder Cup winner Paul McGinley is still hopeful of making his fourth consecutive European team at Valhalla next month.

McGinley gave his hopes of making it on to the team to face the Americans in Kentucky a shot in the arm with a three-under-par second-round 67 today at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Having started at level-par, he moved to within three shots of early clubhouse leader Phil Mickelson at the Firestone Country Club, where he is competing courtesy of his 2006 Ryder Cup team membership.

“I played really well,” McGinley said. “There was a lot of quality there today and I’m obviously pleased.”

With five top-10 finishes on the European Tour this year McGinley is 36th on the Order of Merit, and 30th on the European points list for next month’s Ryder Cup, leaving him on the outside looking in as far making the team is concerned.

“I’ve been playing like this all year, to be honest,” he claimed.

“Unless you win, first or second, you’re not really climbing in the world rankings.

“Finish seventh or eighth in a European event and I’m going up four or five spots in the rankings. At 120th there’s a lot of climbs. You’ve got to win, win or second. That’s where all the points are. You put in a big cheque at 300,000 points.

“Look at (Ian) Poulter at the British Open, he was tied with me basically in the same position in Ryder Cup points, and all of a sudden 700,000 euros or 600,000 euros (for coming second). I haven’t had that so far, and I’ve always said that’s what you’ve got to do.”

McGinley recognises the odds are against him.

“I’m so far behind money-wise, I’ve missed so much, but any kind of form over the next four weeks could put me in contention. It’s a long shot to be honest but we’ll see,” he said.

“You never know, a month of form and you never know what could happen.”