Mickelson storms back into contention on back nine

As clouds rolled over Augusta National Golf Club late Friday afternoon, Phil Mickelson quietly stormed into contention.

Mickelson made four birdies on the second nine to card 68 and will enter the weekend eight shots behind leader Jordan Spieth.

“Obviously a very good back nine,” said Mickelson, who’s at 6-under for the tournament. “We got a little lucky with the later tee time, as the wind started to die down a little bit around Amen Corner. There was still a little wind, but nothing like earlier in the day.”

Mickelson played Friday’s first nine at even par before closing with birdies on holes Nos. 11, 13, 15 and 17. He said a highlight was his second shot on No. 17.

“I thought I hit a pretty good drive but it ended up being in the rough,” Mickelson said. “But because the wind was helping, I was able to get a wedge over the trees and pushed it far enough to get to the pin. From there, I made a good putt coming back.”

Despite being eight shots back of Spieth, Mickelson was quick to point out there’s still a lot of golf to be played. As for his strategy, Lefty says he won’t do anything different than Friday.

“When I went out today, I was 12 shots off the lead about to play a difficult golf course in windy conditions,” Mickelson said. “It was tough to be patient. It was tough not to force the issue. Making some dumb mistakes would have been very easy to do.

“Saturday, I’ll have the same goal and that’s to go out and shoot a good round. A lot can happen on this golf course.”

Mickelson, however, did admit Spieth would be tough to track down.

“He was playing some of the best golf coming into the tournament and he’s playing the best golf in the tournament,” Mickelson said. “I expect him to continue that, but if something were to happen, I want to be there.”