PHIL GOOD FACTOR

STAR: Mickelson

MICKELSON turned back the clock by posting the first sub-70 round of the day to shoot up the leaderboard yesterday.

Mickelson, 50, shot a 69 to move back to level par despite finding the water with a seven-iron approach at the 15th.

The three-time Masters champion salvaged a par and produced another of his trademark escape acts at the final hole to par from a bunker.

“It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve scored well,” said Mickelson.

As his final putt dropped, he rocketed himself 25 places up the leaderboard into a share of 22nd. Ian Poulter and

Paul Casey were unable to make similar inroads.

Poulter shot 72 to remain at level par with Casey bogeying the last to drop to one over.

Canadian Corey Conners had a day to remember, holing in one at the short sixth. It was the second ace of the tournament after Tommy Fleetwood holed out at the 16th in the first round.