Australian journeyman Matt Jones, bidding for his first PGA Tour title, made the most of his local knowledge to charge into a two-way tie for the lead in Friday's second round of the Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Scottsdale resident Jones, who attended Arizona State University and is a club member at nearby Whisper Rock, played near-flawless golf on the way to a six-under-par 65 on a cool, overcast day at the TPC Scottsdale.
Jones began and ended his round with birdies as he posted a 12-under total of 130 to finish level with American left-hander and former Masters champion Bubba Watson, who fired a 66.
Another left-hander, Greg Chalmers of Australia, was a further two strokes back after carding a six-birdie 67, ending the day level with American Harris English, who also carded a 67.
Four players - Joe Ogilvie, Spencer Levin, Jason Bohn and Michael Putnam - were yet to complete the second round when play was suspended in fading light and they will finish off their final holes early on Saturday.
Journeyman Jones, whose best PGA Tour finish after playing six full seasons on the U.S. circuit was a tie for second at last year's Greenbrier Classic, was delighted to have an early tee time on Friday for the second round.
"We definitely got the good side of the draw going off early," the 33-year-old from New South Wales told reporters after mixing seven birdies with a lone bogey. "It's cold and the ball isn't going as far."
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Watson, co-leader overnight with South Korean Yang Yong-eun after opening with a 64, was also upbeat despite having dropped two shots in his last three holes.
"I feel like I should win on every golf course," said the slim American, who is bidding for his first victory on the PGA Tour since his major breakthrough at the 2012 Masters.
"Everything is clicking right now. I played really well last week, just didn't make the putts. This time I'm playing well and some of the putts are dropping."
Japan's Hideki Matsuyama had been just one stroke off the lead after 17 holes but bogeyed the par-four 18th after finding a bunker with his approach to card a 67 for a nine-under total.
Korean Yang slipped back to five under after returning a 73 while three-times Phoenix Open champion and local favourite Phil Mickelson, who also attended Arizona State University, was a further stroke back, after a 67.
"I didn't make too many sloppy swings, my distance control was back on," said Mickelson, who has had successful treatment for the lower back pain which forced him to withdraw after the second round of last week's Farmers Insurance Open.
"I don't know if I'm too far back or not, but on this golf course you can really make some fireworks happen. It's my opportunity, because I'm going to be one of the earlier groups and that means the greens are going to be pristine.
"They are really rolling well," said Mickelson, who won last year's title with a record-tying 28-under total of 256 after opening with a sizzling 60.
The cut was set to fall at one-under 141 with England's former world number one Lee Westwood and former major winners Padraig Harrington of Ireland and South African Retief Goosen among those who will fail to advance.
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