PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Scott McCarron birdied the 18th hole Friday to shoot a 3-under 68 and grab a two-shot lead midway through the Northern Trust Open in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
McCarron, a winner three times on the PGA Tour -- but not since 2001 -- posted a 10-under 132 total for two trips around the Riviera Country Club course.
Tommy Armour III (67) and Steve Stricker (66) shared second place at 134, while the group at 135 included first-round leader Phil Mickelson. Mickelson eagled the first hole Friday, but eventually had to settle for a 1-over 72.
Among those tied with Mickelson were Rory Sabbatini, Luke Donald, Pat Perez, K.J. Choi and Geoff Ogilvy, winner of the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship last month.
Dustin Johnson, who captured the rain-shortened AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am last weekend, was at 136.
It took a score of 1-under 141 to make the 36-hole cut. Among those surviving the cut were FedEx Cup points leader Kenny Perry (138), David Duval (139) and two-time U.S. Open champ Retief Goosen (139).
Vijay Singh (143) missed the cut for the second straight week after returning from shoulder surgery.
