Mickelson, Horschel tie for lead at US Open
Tiger Woods lurking dangerously as players complete delayed second round at Merion
Four-time major champion Phil Mickelson and second-time major starter Billy Horschel remained tied for the lead after the second round of the US Open as yesterday's challengers faded.
But world No 1 Tiger Woods, a 14-time major golf champion chasing the all-time record of 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, lurked only four strokes off the pace in a share of 13th with the third round looming overnight.
Woods seeks a record-tying fourth US Open crown but has never won any title when over par after 36 holes and has never won a major crown when he was not leading after 54 holes, making his impending 18 holes even more crucial.
The storm-hit showdown at Merion, thrown off schedule after play was halted for more than four hours on Thursday, continued in perfect conditions yesterday with 73 players making the cut at eight-over-par 148.
Mickelson, a five-time US Open runner-up still chasing the elusive trophy, and fellow American Horschel, who missed the cut at the 2006 US Open in his only prior major start, set the overnight pace at one-under 139 for 36 holes.
England's Luke Donald and Justin Rose, seeking their first major titles, and American Steve Stricker, trying to become the oldest US Open champion at age 46, were also in the clubhouse just one stroke back on 140.