Mickelson shoots 66, surges into contention

(06-19) 04:00 PDT Pebble Beach --

As Phil Mickelson marched along the last few holes Friday, his putter rejuvenated and his name planted high on the leaderboard, the fans showered him in spirited applause. They were not the throaty roars of New York galleries, but the noise made it clear Mickelson remains the people's choice at Pebble Beach.

His quest to win this 110th U.S. Open resonates on many levels, from his history of frustration in America's national championship to Pebble's history of spitting out Open champions with pedigree. It requires no deep insight into golf lore to see Mickelson as a logical heir to the throne, joining the Mount Rushmore of winners here - first Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, then Tom Kite and Tiger Woods.

Mickelson, after starting the day with a realistic chance of missing the cut, ended it in prime position to chase the sparkling, silver trophy. He matched his lowest U.S. Open round ever, shooting 5-under-par 66 to zoom into the thick of contention, only two shots off the pace.

Graeme McDowell, a steady 30-year-old from Northern Ireland, seized the lead after firing 68 to reach 3-under for the tournament. If McDowell checks his rearview mirror today, he will find a dynamic quartet at 1-under: Mickelson, two-time U.S. Open champion Ernie Els (who shot 68 on Friday), two-time AT&T; champion Dustin Johnson (70) and unflappable Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa (71).

That counts as one of the snazziest, Tiger-free leaderboards possible.

Still, the man with the most star power and hottest putter is Mickelson. His 66 marked the low round this week and equaled the score he posted in the second round at Shinnecock Hills in 2004. Mickelson might be best served forgetting how that Open turned out (one of his five runner-up finishes).

He rode a wave of positive vibes Friday after pocketing six birdies and only one bogey - an abrupt reversal from his sloppy, opening-round 75.

"I'm in a good spot," Mickelson said. "I don't look at the leaderboard and I don't look at other players. I look at par. This is the only tournament that brings out Bobby Jones' old saying of 'playing against Old Man Par,' because if you just can stay around par, you're going to be in the tournament Sunday. That's kind of the goal."

Mickelson launched his surge with a great approach shot on No. 2, to set up a 3-foot birdie putt. He found special significance in watching the ball disappear into the hole, mostly because it was his first birdie of the tournament.

He quickly added birdies at Nos. 3 and 4, then another at No. 6. His tee shot at No. 8 stopped perilously close to the edge of the cliff, but it rewarded Mickelson with a shorter approach shot - and he took full advantage, stuffing the ball 12 feet from the hole and converting his fifth birdie on the front nine.

"He was spectacular all day," said Padraig Harrington, who played alongside Mickelson. "It was certainly the best I'd ever seen him play and as easy a 66 as you'll ever see."

It wasn't lost on some spectators that Mickelson's chief rival, Woods, was not playing nearly as well (he shot 72 on Friday). As Mickelson approached the 6th tee, the crowd called his name and loudly shouted encouragement. One burly voice was heard above the din: "Ain't no complaining about the greens from you, Phil!"

The remark was a none-too-subtle jab at Woods, who had complained about Pebble Beach's bumpy greens Thursday. Mickelson offered no complaints at all.

"They're not Augusta smooth, but the big thing for me was leaving the ball underneath the hole," he said later. "The putts I made, they were all uphill. They're all putts where I can be aggressive."

Among the players Mickelson will need to outduel this weekend is Ishikawa, a player poised beyond his years. Ishikawa is only 18 and must cope with unrelenting attention and scrutiny back home - embodied by the pack of Japanese journalists shadowing him around Pebble - but he's acquitting himself just fine.

He played alongside Tom Watson and Rory McIlroy the past two days, a fascinating blend of one legend and two stars-in-the-making. Ishikawa went 70-71, including the occasionally spectacular shot.

Friday's shining example: Ishikawa lifted his 4-iron tee shot on No. 17 halfway to the moon. The ball landed softly and stopped 4 feet from the flagstick, setting up birdie on one of Pebble's most difficult holes.

Ishikawa made an impression on Watson, a discerning critic.

"He reminds me of me when I was 18 years old," Watson said. "There's no fear. He has a wonderful touch and nice imagination."

The fearlessness was evident in the way Ishikawa talked about the conditions during this U.S. Open. He first played Pebble Beach in February, when he made his debut in the AT&T; Pro-Am and missed the cut. (He shot 70 in his only round at Pebble.)

Friday, after his even-par 71, Ishikawa uttered a proclamation sure to make USGA officials shudder:

"I feel it was more difficult in February, especially on the greens," he said.

Mickelson, Els and Ishikawa bring charisma and star power to the leaderboard, but they will begin play today chasing McDowell. He's a Ryder Cup stalwart and perpetually one of the top players on the European Tour, but he's still seeking his breakthrough on U.S. soil.

McDowell's best finish in four previous U.S. Open starts is a tie for 18th last year at rain-soaked Bethpage Black in New York. It wouldn't make for the splashiest headline, at least outside Northern Ireland, but McDowell can picture himself in the winner's circle this weekend.

"I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about picking up the trophy on Sunday afternoon," McDowell said. "I feel I'm as ready as I'm ever going to be."

More coverage

Sinister 17th: Scott Ostler on Pebble's toughest hole. Section AA

Pebble's his place: AT&T; Pro-Am king Dustin Johnson in contention. B6

Tiger's travails: Woods can't quite make a charge, but he makes the cut. B8

E-mail Ron Kroichick at rkroichick@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page B - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle