Phil Mickelson took advantage of the calm end of the draw Friday to retain his lead at the Open Championship.
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Though Mickelson had to battle some light rain, it was nothing compared to what the afternoon wave eventually faced. Mickelson was able to shoot a 2-under 69 in Round 2 to get to 10 under at Royal Troon in Scotland.
"The conditions made it tough, especially when the wind and rain picked up. But I enjoy that challenge, it's fun," Mickelson said on the Golf Channel after his round. "I think it's easier having been there. Winning the Open the first time was one of the greatest achievements in my career and it helps knowing I've done it before."
Scores rose dramatically in the afternoon, and the tournament became separated into two waves. Mickelson still only has a one-shot lead over Swede Henrik Stenson. After a quiet, but solid opening round, Stenson came out on fire in Round 2, birdieing four of his first seven holes.
Stenson shot a sterling 6-under 65 in Round 2, tying his best-ever round in a major. The 40-year-old finished runner-up to Mickelson at the Open in 2013 and is widely regarded as one of the best players without a major championship.
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"I took my chances early and hit some good shots into greens," Stenson said on Golf Channel. "I had a tough bogey on 9, and it was tough conditions around the turn, but I was able to pick up a couple of birdies coming in. You just have to pick your spot and go for it [when the weather comes into play]."
Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen also took advantage of the calm morning conditions. He continued his impressive major season with a 3-under 68 Friday to get to 7 under for the tournament. Kjeldsen burst back onto the scene with a T-7 at Augusta earlier this year, proving he has what it takes to stay in the running on golf's grandest stages.
Despite struggling with the anchored putting ban that came into affect this season, Keegan Bradley vaulted up the leaderboard in Round 2. The fidgety American shot a 3-under 68 to join Kjeldsen at 7 under.
Reigning U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson birdied holes 15 through 17 to get back into contention at 2 under. Johnson was down to 1 over for the tournament before his late run helped him shoot a 2-under 69 in Round 2. Though he's still eight shots back, Johnson has the firepower to make up ground in a hurry.
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Defending champion Zach Johnson shot a 1-under 70 on Friday to move to 5 under, setting himself up for a nice weekend charge. Johnson has two major championships on his resume already.
South African Charl Schwartzel leads a group at 4 under after he fired a 5-under 66 in Round 2. Schwartzel, who won the 2011 Masters, shot a five-under 31 on the front nine.
Joining Schwartzel at 4 under are Sergio Garcia, Tony Finau, Andrew Johnston, and Bill Haas. All four are searching for their first majors.
Then, the weather came. Everyone listed above played in the morning wave. Once the afternoon wave started, the wind picked up and the rain eventually started coming down sideways. It was British Open weather personified.
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Through 36 holes, 2 under was the best score from the players teeing off early Thursday/late Friday. Patrick Reed, who shot a 3-over 74 Friday, Byeong-Hun An and Rory McIlroy shared that honor.
McIlroy made it to 5 under early in the second round, before wind and an inconsistent putter knocked him back to even-par for the day.
“I felt the front nine was playing more difficult than we had it yesterday," McIlroy said on Golf Channel. "When you turn back into the wind on the back nine it’s brutal. Now, I just need to try to get myself back up the leaderboard."
Rickie Fowler also got off to a hot start in Round 2, reaching 4 under at one point. It looked like Fowler and McIlroy might make a push to catch McIlroy, but the weather ultimately got the better of them, like the rest of their wave.
Jordan Spieth, who at this time last season was trying to extend his Grand Slam bid, made the cut on the mark at 4 over after shooting a 4-over 75 on Friday.
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“These were conditions you want to play over here, but when you are playing with a bunch of buddies, not when you need to post a score," Spieth said on Golf Channel. “It’s almost impossible not to get frustrated out there, but you just have to tell yourself not to."
Patience will be key over the weekend with wind and rain in the forecast.