Day in mix in Houston as golf’s Masters looms

Jason Day was back in contention on the eve of the Masters after two eventful days alongside Phil Mickelson.

Winless in 2 ½ years and fighting lingering back and neck problems, Day shot a 2underpar 68 on Friday in the PGA Tour’s Houston Open to pull within two strokes of secondround leader Sam Burns at difficult Memorial Park.

The Australian watched the 50yearold Mickelson hit into the water twice en route to an 8 on the par3 ninth, then hole out from 193 yards for eagle on the par4 18th. Lefty missed the cut, following an opening 76 with a 73.

Day was in contention three weeks ago in Las Vegas in the CJ Cup when the neck problem forced him to withdraw early in the final round. The 12time PGA Tour winner returned the next week at Sherwood to tie for 60th, and took last week off.

Burns birdied all three par5 holes in a bogeyfree 65 to reach 7under.

Winless on the PGA Tour, the 24yearold Burns also took a twoshot lead into the weekend in the seasonopening Safeway Championship in Napa in September. He ended up tying for seventh that week at Silverado.

Carlos Ortiz of Mexico had a 68 to match Day at 5under.

Firstround leader Brandt Snedeker followed his opening 65 with a 71 to drop into a tie for fourth at 4under with Dawie van der Walt ( 66), Corey Conners ( 67), Aaron Wise ( 66) and Patton Kizzire ( 67).

Topranked Dustin Johnson followed an opening 72 with a 66 to get to 2under in his return after a positive coronavirus test knocked him out of the CJ Cup and Zozo Championship.

Paul Goydos and Brandt Jobe each shot 7under 64 in calm, overcast conditions in Phoenix to share the firstround lead in the PGA Tour Champions’ Charles Schwab Cup Championship.