Mickelson on course to add second Major

Phil Mickelson goes into the U.S. Open third round on Saturday tied for the lead, and full of confidence as he chases a second major victory in a row.

The 34-year-old left-hander ended a 14-year wait for a grand slam breakthrough at the U.S. Masters in April. Should he triumph on Sunday, he would become the sixth player in golfing history to win the first two majors of the year.

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 to have clinched the Masters and the U.S. Open in the same year.

"What I have felt is a sense of excitement and anticipation," Mickelson told reporters after a blemish-free 66 in the second round at Shinnecock Hills left him at six-under 134, level with Japan's Shigeki Maruyama atop the leaderboard.

"I can't wait for the upcoming majors now because I feel like I'm on to something to play well in the big tournaments.

"Winning at Augusta certainly made the year special, and nothing will take away from that.

"But being able to play well here, having a chance to win and hopefully coming out on top on Sunday, has continued to make this a wonderful year," added Mickelson, who has won eight times in 15 PGA Tour events when holding at least a share of the 36-hole lead.

The Californian and Maruyama lead American Jeff Maggert by a stroke. South Africa's Retief Goosen, the 2001 champion at Southern Hills, and Fred Funk are a further shot back in a tie for fourth at four under.

However, twice winner Ernie Els may also have a say in proceedings over the weekend, having climbed into joint sixth at three-under 137 with a four-birdie 67.

"There's a long way to go and there are so many guys in it," said the smooth-swinging South African, U.S. Open champion at Oakmont in 1994 and at Congressional in 1997.

"There are weather issues and, if the wind starts blowing, you've just got to hang in.

"A lot can happen and I've got a chance."

Els conceded, though, that momentum and confidence appeared to be with Mickelson.

"When you win a major championship, there are so many things you have to battle through and overcome," he said. "And, when you've won one, you know how to win.

"Phil's obviously been a great player, but he had never won a major until April.

"You get more confidence and you feel you can win a few more. I'm sure that's where Phil is right now."

Mickelson and Maruyama are scheduled to tee off at 1450 local (1850 GMT) in Saturday's third round, with Els and twice major winner Vijay Singh given a tee-off time of 1420 (1820).

World number one Tiger Woods, bidding to end a winless run of seven majors, is set to tee off with Sweden's Daniel Chopra at 1310 (1710). Woods was seven strokes off the lead after carding a second-round 69.