Im claims The American Express lead as Mickelson makes history
Sacha Pisani
January 23, 2021 01:19 MYT
January 23, 2021 01:19 MYT
Im Sung-jae leads The American Express by one shot after the second round, while Phil Mickelson made history on the PGA Tour despite missing the cut.
South Korean golfer Im carded a seven-under-par 65 on the PGA West Stadium Course to hit the front in California on Friday.
Im – who finished tied for second at last year's rescheduled Masters, and is eyeing his second Tour title after breaking through at the 2020 Honda Classic – was flawless with seven birdies and no bogeys.
The 22-year-old is 11 under at the halfway stage of the tournament, ahead of Nick Taylor (66), Tony Finau (66), Abraham Ancer (65), Kim Si-woo (68) and overnight leader Brandon Hagy (70).
Heading into the weekend @TheAmExGolf: 1. Sungjae Im (-11) T2. @NTaylorGolf59 (-10) T2. @TonyFinauGolf T2. @Abraham_Ancer T2. Si Woo Kim T2. @BrandonHagy T7. @GrilloEmiliano (-9) T7. @F_Molinari T7. @DougGhim T10. 8 players tied (-8) — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 23, 2021
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Defending champion Andrew Landy posted a second-round 69 to be tied for 37th and six strokes off the pace.
In his 2,201st career PGA Tour round, five-time major champion Mickelson carded 18 consecutive pars for the first time.
Mickelson – playing for the first time since November's Masters – following his opening-round 74 with a 72 as the American star finished seven shots outside the cut line.
2,201st round on TOUR. This is the first time @PhilMickelson has ever made 18 pars. pic.twitter.com/ccr4MRC5ko — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 22, 2021
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"For that to be the first time, it's really shocking,” said Mickelson. "Surprising, because I really try to hit fairways and centers of the greens and just make easy pars.
"Looking at the scores, you're going to say, 'Gosh, you played two-over par, pretty easy courses, pretty poor start'. But I feel like there were a lot of good things to take from the week, even though the scorecard’s not going to show it."