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Mickelson maintains Sawgrass advantage

12/05/2007

Phil Mickelson retained his one-shot advantage after two rounds at the Players' Championship in Florida after shooting a level-par round of 72.

Mickelson is on five-under-par for the tournament, just ahead of Australia's Nathan Green who shot a round of three-under to move up from his overnight position of ninth.

Tiger Woods continued to struggle, carding a round of one-over-par to add to his three-over round from yesterday. The world number one survived the cut but is nine shots behind the leader.

Mickelson maintained his lead, but only after enduring a rollercoaster day. Having picked up a stroke on the second hole the American had a run of three bogies on the front nine.

This allowed Green to claim the lead for a brief period but Mickelson reduced his arrears by birdying the ninth hole. He gave that shot back at the 12th green, however.

His round was saved when he produced an eagle on the par five 16th to regain his place at the top of the leaderboard. A majestic second shot put him within two feet of the pin, making the putt a formality.

Mickelson said: "I'll gladly take 72. I didn't put myself in some great spots, so relied on my short game to keep me in it.''

Green coped with the windy conditions excellently, making four birdies and dropping just one shot during his second round.

A group of four players are tied for third place, two shots behind Mickelson. They include American Sean O'Hair, Peter Lonard and Rod Pampling of Australia and Sweden's Carl Petterson.

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