Northern Trust Open – Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Leader after the second round, Dustin Johnson, shot a hole in one on the 152 yard, Par three 6th hole.

Three have withdrawn; Rocco Mediate and Jesper Parnevik have back problems and Chris Couch has a shoulder injury.

Opinion – Phil should put the Ping Eye 2 back in his bag, just to say, “You will not intimidate me!” He should even strut a little bit. Whether he is confortable with that role, Phil is the Number 1 guy on the Tour today. The “Goofy-Good-guy” routine does not make it any more, Phil. Just be the “Confident-guy” we saw at the end of last year.

Phil Mickelson shot a five-under 66 Friday, improving from off the tee and on the greens. Phil said, “I’ve got to go low (on the week-end).” He also said. “…it’s out there if you play well.” I thought Phil had a pretty good tournament last week. Although he started dodging bullets when replying to questions about Tiger Woods and the Ping Eye2 club issue. In statements that were more about Phil than Tiger, he said that he hoped Tiger would return soon.

In an earlier post (1/26/2010) I said, “I am not jumping on Phil Mickleson, but I would encourage him to set his sights on winning 7 tournaments this year…the most Phil has won in the past is 4 (tournaments) in a year and he has done that three times.”

I think Phil has everything it takes to win 7 tournaments in a year and I would be happy with 4, but I am afraid he is setting himself up to fail at that. I think Phil is saying, ‘I hope Tiger comes back soon, so the pressure will be off me. Besides,’ I think Phil would say, ‘I like to sneak into first place, I like being the under dog who catches up and takes the lead in the last few holes.’

The last few games last year, I think we saw a Tiger beater. A guy who could win against anyone. Now, it may be that Phil has retreated from that high point. The shots are all there for Phil, he has proved that. He just has to walk it and believe that he is, The Man.

When I look at the Tiger who last played last year, I see confidence. I have no idea how he will handle his recent notoriety. I believe Tiger can play his game oblivious to the circumstances outside the the golf course. We will know by Friday evening whether he will go to Marana Arizona for the WGC event there.