Mickelson & Maruyama tie for lead

Phil Mickelson surged into contention for the 104th U.S. Open on Friday, raising his hopes of becoming the sixth player to win the first two majors of the year.

The U.S. Masters champion, exuding confidence off the tee, fired a blemish-free 66 in the second round, finishing at six-under 134 in relatively calm conditions at Shinnecock Hills.

Mickelson held the clubhouse lead for several hours before being caught late in the day by Japan's Shigeki Maruyama, who had to settle for a two-under 68 after dropping a shot at the last.

Twice champion Ernie Els, boosted by four consecutive birdies from the fifth, flirted with the lead before slipping back into a tie for sixth at three-under 137 with a 67.

World number one Tiger Woods, once again errant off the tee, battled for his first 13 holes before birdies at five and six lifted him to a 69, and a share of 18th at one over.

Sixty-six players made the halfway cut at five-over 145, with world number four Davis Love III among those missing out following scores of 76 and 75.

After completing a first-round 68 earlier in the day, Mickelson, who ended a 14-year wait for a first major victory at the Masters in April, reeled off birdies at the first, eighth, 12th and 16th.

"I certainly have played this tournament with a lot of confidence, and I think that stems from preparation," the left-hander told reporters after smiling at the huge galleries throughout his round.

"My preparation heading into Augusta and heading into the U.S. Open has been different this year, and I feel as though I'm not having any surprises.

"I'm swinging with confidence, knowing where the ball is going to go and taking half the trouble out of play.

"All of that makes the golf course a lot easier," added the American, who had been among 57 players with unfinished opening rounds on Thursday due to early evening fog.

Should Mickelson triumph on Sunday, he would join Craig Wood, in 1941, Ben Hogan, in 1951 and 1953, Arnold Palmer, in 1960, Jack Nicklaus, in 1972, and Tiger Woods, in 2002, as the only players who have won the first two major championships of the year.

Although unable to convert several other birdie chances, the 34-year-old Californian ended the day at the top of the leaderboard with Maruyama, one ahead of American Jeff Maggert.

"I'm really surprising myself," said triple PGA Tour winner Maruyama. "I've been struggling off the tee these last few weeks but here I've been hitting it well.

"There's not many chances to be a leader at a U.S. Open, so I'm excited."

South Africa's Retief Goosen, the 2001 champion at Southern Hills, was a further stroke back in a share of fourth with American Fred Funk, the pair having carded matching 66s.

Argentina's Angel Cabrera, who produced a roller-coaster 71 featuring an eagle-three at the fifth and a double-bogey at the par-four 18th, was tied for sixth with Els.

The big-hitting Cordoba professional had earlier held the outright lead at five under after eight holes, but he stumbled around the turn and Mickelson forged ahead.

Twice major winner Vijay Singh returned a 70 to finish at two-under 138, level with Corey Pavin, U.S. Open champion in 1995 when Shinnecock last staged the event. The 44-year-old Pavin followed his opening 67 with a 71.

Woods, who has not won a major since the 2002 U.S. Open at nearby Bethpage Black, dropped a shot at his opening hole, the par-four 10th, after pushing his drive into thick rough.

He then parred the next five holes before missing a four-foot birdie putt at the 540-yard 16th, and was fortunate to save par at the 18th where he struck the flagstick with his third shot out of the rough.

Birdies at the fifth and sixth, however, salvaged his round and he made a good up and down from short of the green at the last to stay within seven strokes of the lead.

"It was a challenge out there," Woods said. "I just hung in there and kept being patient. After all, this is the U.S. Open.

"I felt I was playing well enough to make a few birdies but you can't force it on this course."