Sports

Ragged back nine leaves Phil in hole

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Phil Mickelson has plenty of ground to make up today if he is going to get himself into contention to capture his fourth Masters. Mickelson struggled Friday on the back nine where he was 4-over en route to a 76 that left him at 3-over for the tournament and nine shots off the lead. Mickelson hit balls in the water at the par-3 12th (double-bogey) and par-5 15th (bogey).

“You’re never out of this tournament,” he said.

“I’ve got a little bit of work to do, but it doesn’t feel far off. My putter is very close. I’ve hit a lot of good putts that have not gone in that have come very close the first two days. If I can get a couple to fall and hit a few more good shots, I think that I have something in the mid 60s, which I will need to get back in it.”

* Rory McIlroy hasn’t played quite as well as he expected, but he still has a good shot to win his first Green Jacket. McIlroy stands at 2-under for the tournament after a 2-under 70 yesterday. Birdies on three of his last six holes salvaged his round.

“I’m comfortable with my game,” he said. “I’m happy with this position going into the weekend.”

* Marc Leishman of Australia isn’t one of those players who avoid looking at the leaderboard even when his name is on it. The first-round leader remains in contention after shooting a 1-over 73 in yesterday’s second round. He’s 5-under for the tournament.

“I like to know where I am, what the situation is, whether I’m ahead, behind on the cut line, whatever,” he said. “It’s pretty cool to see your name up at the top there.”

* Jim Furyk was among those victimized by the 15th hole yesterday. He took a double-bogey there after going into the water. He made birdie on the 18th hole to finish 1-under on his round to stand 4-under and two shots off the lead heading into today’s third round.

“I’d rather be the front runner than the chaser, but you’re dealt a hand,” he said. “I’ve won from both ends. But I would much prefer to be the front runner.”

* Among those barely surviving the cut at 4-over include Tianlang Guan, Ryo Ishikawa, and defending champion Bubba Watson, who has suffered eight three-putts over his first two rounds. He complained about the greens being slower than normal.

“I’m used to it being a lot more difficult and different pin placements and the ball is just not rolling like I thought,” Watson said. “So I left just about every putt short it seems like. I mean this is not really the Masters that we’re all used to seeing.”

* Among those missing the cut were: U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson (5-over), Louis Oosthuizen (6-over), who finished second to Watson last year, and Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter (7-over).