Villegas maintains Phoenix Open lead

Camilo Villegas held onto his Phoenix Open lead but was tied at the top of the leaderboard by United States’ Mark Wilson. Villegas, who had started the day with a one-shot lead following a scorching first round 62 at TPC Scottsdale carded a second round 69 to share the half-way lead with Wilson, after the American shot 66.

Ryder Cup player Anthony Kim shares third place in an all-American trio alongside Ryan Moore and Rickie Fowler one shot behind; while a sextet of players are tied for sixth place a further stroke off the pace. Among the six are Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, United States’ Pat Perez and veteran Tom Lehman.

In a round suspended due to darkness, Ian Poulter shot a joint best-of-the-day 63 to move up the leaderboard and the Englishman lies tied for 16th place alongside countryman Justin Rose. A total of eight players make up the bracket which lies just four shots off the lead.

Phil Mickelson threatened the top of the leaderboard during his second round after carding four birdies on his front nine. A further birdie down the back was tempered by two bogeys and the world number three finished with a second successive 68 to lay 5 shots off the pace alongside 14 others, including Geoff Ogilvy, Mark Calcavecchia, Chad Campbell and US PGA champion YE Yang.

After recovering back to two-under par in his first round, our pick JB Holmes also made progress through the field with a 68 to add to his opening 69 for a five under total to sit six off the lead. United States’ Nick Watney was the other player to shoot 63 and equal Poulter’s round. The American was in danger of missing the cut after a first round of 74, but his equal best-of-the-day round sees him safely make the weekend’s play. The pair are among a group of 15 players on five-under par.

The delayed second rounds will be concluded early Saturday, with Matt Every among those who will need to complete their rounds.