Mickelson makes major move

Phil Mickelson consolidated his latest quest for a maiden major title by carding successive birdies to take a share of the lead in the US PGA Championship.

In the wake of David Duval's triumph at the Open last month, Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie were left alone as the two most eminent golfers yet to have won a major.

But as two bogies in three holes took a frustrated Montgomerie to three over par and in danger of missing the cut, Mickelson birdied the 12th and 13th holes to go six under for the tournament and level with New Zealander Grant Waite at the top of the leaderboard.

Waite, like Mickelson, began the second round on the back nine and successfully negotiated his opening two holes in regulation. That's left him and his American rival two ahead of a chasing pack of eight players that included Duval and Chris DiMarco, who moved from two under to four under at the turn.

Andrew Coltart briefly joined those on four under with a birdie three at the 12th, his third hole of the day. But, as the Scot immediately lost two shots, his English brother-in-law, Lee Westwood, was making a move, picking up three birdies in seven holes to go two under.

Meanwhile, Duval has rushed to the defence of close friend Tiger Woods after the world No 1 ended the first round of his title defence nine shots adrift.