Phil Mickelson did not even play a practice round ahead of this week's Players Championship, but the 2007 champion is still lurking through two rounds.
Despite hitting his tee shot on No. 17 into the water Friday, resulting in a double-bogey, Mickelson is tied for 23rd at 2 under. Though he is seven shots back, he doesn't foresee that being a huge problem.
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"I think the guy that is going to be leading tomorrow is going to be somebody that's at like even, 1-under par right now that goes out early and has a chance to shoot a low round," Mickelson said after his round. "Because as the day wears on, the course firms up, dries out and it gets a lot more difficult."
Low scores have been hard to find so far this week, but Mickelson thinks they are out there, especially early in the day.
"I think anybody that made the cut has a really good shot," he said. "But especially if you're even, 1 under, I think those guys go out a little early and I think they could shoot 6-, 7-under par and get right back in it. I know there was probably a couple of those today, but I don't see many of those out there."
Mickelson has missed the cut here each of the last four years. It appeared he was going to finish Round 2 among the leaders, but his tee shot on the island green (17) landed on the green but bounced off the back into the lake.
Disappointing finish aside, Mickelson is ready to brush off the mistake and fight for birdies on Saturday.
"I was in between nine and wedge, I tried to hit it to the front of the green, I hit wedge and it went over the green in the water," he said of his tee shot on the par-3 17th. "So, it happens on this course where the penalty for — especially with the greens being firm — the penalty is going to be like that.
"It's going to make us look pretty silly out there a lot of spots. But I hit a lot of good shots, including the one on 17 that went in the water. So, unfortunately I made double there. But I'm in a good spot for tomorrow, I'll come out tomorrow and see if I can shoot a number."
With 10 birdies and an eagle already this week, Mickelson has looked dangerous on this revamped layout. Now, if he is going to get back in contention, he needs to cut down on his mistakes.
"Anything in the 60s is a good round, anything in the 60s will be right there," he said.
