Watney leads in Arizona

Mickelson misses cut after a 73

Last updated: 1st February 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Watney leads in Arizona

Watney: chasing second title

FBR Classic
US unless stated
Second round leaders
-9 N Watney
-8 C Hoffman
-8 M Kuchar
-8 J Nitties (Aus)

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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 the FBR Open.

Watney, whose only PGA 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.

Perfect

"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."

It was not such fun for world number four Phil Mickelson, who missed the cut in his season-opener for the first time in his 18-year PGA career.

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

Mickelson never found his rhythm en route to 73, which left him at seven-over 149, well outside the cut mark of level par.

" 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.

The second round was suspended due to darkness on Friday evening forcing the final group to return to the course on Saturday morning to play their last two holes.