• Bridgestone Invitational, Round Two

Mickelson's 68 puts him on course to overhaul Woods

It was a disappointing day for Tiger Woods © Getty Images

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Bridgestone Invitational Leaderboard

Phil Mickelson is on course to snatch the world No. 1 ranking from Tiger Woods after he surged into contention for the title on day two at the Bridgestone Invitational.

Mickelson, who gives himself a chance of topping the rankings with a top-four finish, carded a two-under 68 which leaves him one short of the pace set by Retief Goosen at seven under.

Woods' performance did nothing to solidify his grip on the No.1 spot as he continued to struggle with all aspects of his game. Across two rounds, he has found eight of 28 fairways from the tee - the worst ratio of anyone in the tournament.

The 34-year-old now finds himself six over at a course where he has claimed a title on seven previous occasions. He carded three birdies in his 72, but five bogeys sabotaged his round to leave his spell at the summit of golf hanging by a thread.

While Woods toiled, Mickelson set about playing himself into form ahead of next week's US PGA Championship. He was peerless in his approach play with the irons, but some sloppy work on the greens saw him record a bogey at three and a double bogey at 14.

Despite Mickelons's best efforts, it is Goosen who heads the field - and he hailed his putting after adding a 66 to his first-day 67. "I think the difference is here is I'm putting pretty well," Goosen said. "I didn't drive it so good yesterday but caught a few breaks, and today I drove it a bit better. But the putting has been pretty good the last two rounds."

There was disappointment for Lee Westwood, who announced after sinking to seven over through 36 holes that he was to pull out of the tournament - and the US PGA.

Paul Casey is the highest-placed Brit at four under - one stroke ahead of Rory McIlroy - as he continues his push for an automatic qualification spot for the Ryder Cup.

Padraig Harrington, who has a similar aim, is at one under alongside Luke Donald, while Ian Poulter's position at two over means he is unlikely to be involved at the sharp end of things over the weekend.

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