Cameron Beckman takes narrow advantage

American Cameron Beckman's five birdies and an eagle mixed with back-to-back bogeys added up to a one-point second round lead over three players on Saturday at the rain-hit International in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Playing under modified Stableford rules that awards five points for eagles, two for birdies and minus-one for a bogey, Beckman had the second best round of the day with 13 points to earn a 36-hole total of 23 points.

Billy Mayfair, the overnight leader by two points, had a mixed day, combining six birdies with five bogeys for seven points but stayed in contention joining Charles Howell III (10 points) and Brandt Jobe (9) on 22 points.

After rain wiped out play on Thursday, golfers now face a gruelling 36-hole marathon on Sunday in the thin Colorado air and a hilly and physically demanding Castle Pines layout.

"It will be interesting, this is a tough place to play 36 holes," said Beckman. "I'm more concerned about my caddy.

"I hope the weather will be good all day and it'll dry up a little bit, things will get a little bit faster and I think it's going to be a birdie fest.

"If you're playing well, it feels easier."

American David Toms shot into contention with a 12-point round that left him on 18 points level with Heath Slocum and Chris Anderson.

Lurking one point back are Retief Goosen, Stewart Cink and twice champion Phil Mickelson, who rocketed up the leaderboard with the round of the day scoring 14 points.

Mickelson began his round concerned about making the cut but scorched the back nine for five birdies, including four straight from the 13th, to jump in amongst the leaders with 17-points.

Playing his first PGA Tour event since his final round collapse at the U.S. Open, Goosen had four bogeys but added seven birdies to end the day on 17 points.

Spain's Sergio Garcia was plus-one on the day missing the plus-five cut that reduced the field to 60 players instead of the usual 70, by one point.

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