Phil Mickelson leads Henrik Stenson by a shot at the halfway mark of The Open at Royal Troon.
But the lead could so easily been three had a birdie putt on the last in the opening round not lipped out that cost the leftie an all-time low majors round of 62.
And overnight, Mickelson played the famous, but treacherous, eighth hole to the left of the pin, and sucked it back. Just one more roll and it was an ace, with only three in Open history at Royal Troon.
American legend Gene Sarzen at 71 became the oldest in 1973, and Scottish amateur David Russell, at 19, the youngest on the same day.
Ernie Els also aced the hole in 2004.
The record high score? Owned by German amateur Hermann Tissies who piled on a 15 in 1950.
Mickelson went 30 holes before he carded his first bogey, and so far he’s been the model of consistency with 12 birdies and just two bogeys.
This is Stenson’s 42nd major, and he’s only been second once in The Open of 2013.
At 40 years of age, time is running out. Playing with Mickelson on moving day will be tailor-made for the Swede who has carded an eagle, ten birdies, and three bogeys.
Stenson, and consistent Dane Soren Kjeldsen, are the only two among the top six on the leaderboard who haven’t won a major.
Kjeldson’s found no problems in his first visit to Royal Troon with nine birdies and just two bogeys over the 36 holes.
Sitting nicely are the 2011 PGA champion Keegan Bradley, with defending champion and 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson.
Bradely’s carded ten birdies and three bogeys, Johnson 11 and six.
South African Charles Schwartzel posted the best outward nine overnight with five birdies in his first seven holes to reach the turn in 31. But he lot his momentum on the back nine to finish with a 66.
World number one Jason Day was next best going out in 32 with out birdies and a bogey but, like Schwartzel, lost his mojo on the way home with three bogeys for an even par 71.
The other heavyweights – Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, and Bubba Watson – are all out of contention.
Johnson is eight shots off the pace after rounds of 71 and 69 – so too McIlroy with the mirror version 69 and 71, while Spieth and Watson just made the cut right on the number at 4-over.
No Australian looks capable from here – none of our best golfers have cracked an even score across the first two rounds, with three missing the cut at halfway.
The Open leaderboard (par 142):
10-under – Phil Mickelson
9-under – Henrik Stenson
7-under – Soren Kjeldsen, Keegan Bradley
5-under – Zach Johnson
4-under – Sergio Garcia, Tony Finau, Bill Haas, Charles Schwartzel, Andrew Johnston,
Australians:
Even – Adam Scott, Scott Hend, Matt Jones.
1-over – Greg Chalmers, Marc Leishman.
2-over – Jason Day.
5-over – Marcus Fraser.
8-over – Nick Cullen.
15-over – Steve Bowditch.
Missed cut (3-over)
5-over – Ernie Els. Robert Streb,
6-over – Mark Calcavecchia, Justin Leonard, David Lingmerth, Todd Hamilton. Vijay Singh, Chris Kirk.
7-over – Shane Lowry.
8-over – Victor Dubuisson.
9-over – John Daly, Paul Casey,
10-over – Jimmy Walker.
12-over – Louis Oosthuizen
13-over – Danny Lee, Scott Piercy
18-over – Ben Curtis.
21-over – Sandy Lyle.
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