Wilson storms into share of lead in Phoenix

Mark Wilson closed his second round at the Waste Management Phoenix Open with four consecutive birdies to take a share of the lead alongside Camilo Villegas at the TPC Scottsdale.

American Wilson stormed home to card a five-under-par 66 and draw level with first-round leader Villegas on 11-under-par.

Villegas, who shot a tournament record-equalling nine-under-par first round yesterday, missed the chance to hold onto the lead outright when he bogeyed the par-four 18th after driving his ball into the pampas grass in the fairway bunker.

One stroke behind the leaders were the American trio of Ryan Moore, Rickie Fowler and Anthony Kim, who had threatened an even better round than his 65 after failing to add to his six birdies on the outward nine.

Ian Poulter, last week's winner at the WGC-Accenture Match Play, also moved into contention with a day's best eight-under-par 63, to be four strokes off the pace alongside fellow Englishman Justin Rose.

Defending champion Kenny Perry only just ensured he would play at the weekend with four late birdies to finish four-under, a single stroke ahead of the cut, while two-time champion Phil Mickelson shot three-under for the second consecutive round to stay in the frame.

The top of the leaderboard, however, has a youthful look with the 35-year-old Wilson clearly the oldest of the top five that includes Villegas (28), Fowler (21), Kim (24) and Moore (27).

Wilson will tee-off alongside Villegas and Kim in tomorrow's final group and admits he will be feeling his age.

"I enjoy watching these young kids. I did see Anthony and Rickie and Camilo up there and they're all very flamboyant characters - it's fun to watch them," he said.

"I'm not a flashy player, my game is more like a Jim Furyk style, and I'll just go about my business.

"So I'll be somewhat of a spectator, too, but certainly taking care of my own business."

Villegas admitted he had been disappointed to drop a shot on the last, when after chipping out of the fairway bunker following his wayward drive he missed a 14-foot putt for par.

It meant the Colombian's advantage following yesterday's stunning round was lost, although he remained positive.

"I wasn't as sharp as I was yesterday, but I still had fun. I still rolled some great putts that barely missed. I'm excited about tomorrow," he said.

"I still felt good. Yesterday I didn't miss a shot and yesterday every putt I hit seemed to roll in.

"Today I just wasn't as sharp, I pushed a couple of drives and a couple of iron shots and that does it."