CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 3 (UPI) -- Phil Mickelson, seeking to become only the second multiple winner on the PGA Tour this year, seized a two-shot lead Friday at the Wells Fargo Championship.
Mickelson won the Phoenix Open in February for the 41st tour triumph of his career, but has not been a factor in his three previous events.
He missed the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, wound up tied for 16th at the Houston Open (where he was defending champion) and was a disappointing 54th at the Masters.
Mickelson recorded six birdies at the Quail Hollow Club Friday, shot a 5-under-par 67 that tied for the low round of the day and turned in a 36-hole score of 9-under 135.
That was good for a two-shot lead over Scott Gardiner, George McNeill and Nick Watney.
Rory McIlroy, who was part of a seven-way tie for the lead after the first round, rallied from a slow start Friday and shot a 71 that left him in a tie for fifth place at 138 with Lee Westwood, Rod Pampling, Jason Kokrak and Derek Ernst.
Former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover was in the group at 139. Defending champ Rickie Fowler barely survived the 36-hole cut at 144.
Tiger Woods is the only player with more than one victory on the tour this year, having won three times
