Phil Mickelson bettered yesterday’s score by a whopping nine (!) strokes to stand at 147 (+7) and make it safely into the final two rounds of the 2008 British Open at Royal Birkdale.

In significantly easier but still tough conditions Mickelson today had three birdies - including a crucial one at the last green - and only one bogey for a round of 68 (-2). The picture was completely different on Thursday when Phil’s round in continuous rain and strong winds included 7 bogeys, 1 triple-bogey and a solitary birdie for a round of 79 (+9).

Phil will need to play like today again tomorrow if he wants to have a say in this championship. The tournament leader - South Korea’s K.J. Choi - is only 8 shots away at -1 and with winds of up to 40 miles an hour forecast for tomorrow, the tournament is still wide open.