FOUR-time Major winner Phil Mickelson has left folks alternately scratching their heads and gasping in amazement with his play on the PGA Tour this year.

The 42-year-old Mickelson shot a brilliant fourth round 64 to beat Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach then contended at the Masters. But in his last few starts, Mickelson has failed to impress. He also tied for 65th at the US Open.

The left-handed American appeared to be getting his game back together on Friday by shooting a one-under 71 in difficult conditions in the second round of the 94th PGA Championship.

He had an early tee time on Friday, when the most of the rain hit.

Mickelson has a two-round total of even-par 144 and is four shots back of the leaders.

“If I’m within four shots or so heading into the weekend, that’s a really good position where I can actually feel my game get better as the week’s gone on,” he said.

Starting on the back nine, he began his round with back-to-back birdies, finishing with three birdies, two bogeys and 13 pars.

“The great thing about this course is if you play well and you hit good shots, you can make pars, you can make some birdies,” Mickelson said.

“And if you don’t, you’re going to make some big numbers, because it really does reward good shots and it penalizes bad ones.

“You have to challenge and take on the crosswinds, and if you get it going with the crosswinds, your misses are going to be very big. And so it’s a difficult test.” — AFP

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