Mickelson misses cut at FBR Open

Phil Mickelson's stay at the FBR Open was a short one as the world number four endured another disastrous round to miss the cut at the event in his season debut.

The second round was suspended due to darkness with the final group out on the course with two holes to play and will resume at 8:00 am local time with the third round scheduled to begin about an hour later.

American Nick Watney carded a bogey-free 63, a round that included four birdies and a pair of eagles, to move into a one-stroke lead at nine-under 133 overall.

One day after calling his five-over-par 76 a "disgusting" round, Mickelson was only marginally better yesterday.

Mickelson never found his rhythm en route to 73, which left him at seven-over 149 and well off the projected cut of even.

" It just didn't come together. I didn't play well," Mickelson said. "The course is beautiful. It's in great shape, and it's an exciting time here with the Cardinals being in the Super Bowl. But I didn't get that momentum and play well."

The ugly showing was surprise to say the least for Mickelson, a local favourite who played his college golf at Arizona State and won titles here in 1996 and 2005.

It marks the first time in his 18-year career that Mickelson has missed a cut in his season opener.

"I didn't feel as far off as the score indicated obviously, but I'll get some good work done this weekend and hopefully come out sharp and ready to play next Thursday in San Diego," Mickelson said.

"I feel like I hit the ball fairly solid but just made a lot of errors here and there."

Mickelson started yesterday's play on the back nine, bogeying numbers 11 and 16, before sinking a birdie on the 17th.

The front side was not much better as Mickelson endured three more bogeys, concluding his stay at the tournament with his eighth bogey in two days.

While Mickelson is heading home, Watney is in position to win his second career PGA title.

Watney, whose lone title came at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2007, is one-stroke clear of Charley Hoffman, Matt Kuchar and James Nitties.

"I was hitting the ball close, and I kept telling my caddie just to get me on the green anyway and I felt like I could hole it," Watney said. "I hit some good shots and made some nice putts."

Hoffman signed for a 68, Kuchar a 67 and Nitties a 69 to get to 8-under 134.

Kenny Perry fired a 63 with seven birdies and eagle and one bogey to pull within two shots of the lead at seven-under. Cameron Beckman carded a 67 to join Perry in a tie for fifth.

"I've had a lot of Top 10s here. I just enjoy coming here. It's just a fun tournament," Perry said. "I love this golf course. It just seems to fit my eye, and I enjoy putting the greens. They're very firm right now.

"I think that's why I was forcing it with the morning time with perfect weather; greens were as soft as they were going to be, and I got away with it. I had a lot of opportunities out there. It was a fun day. It was a fun, relaxing round of golf."