Mickelson's round: 'As easy a 66 as you'll ever see'

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- A little tweak with his putting stance was all Phil Mickelson needed to improve from his opening-round 75 to a second-round 66, the best score posted in either of the first two days of the U.S. Open.

Not only did Mickelson spend the afternoon amazing the spectators at Pebble Beach, and he drew within two strokes of 36-hole leader Graeme McDowell. He also impressed his fellow competitors.

"He was spectacular all day," said Padraig Harrington, who played alongside Mickelson along with Y.E. Yang. "I didn't see him miss a shot."

Harrington hoped he could draft off Mickelson after seeing Lefty make birdies on the second and third holes. Unfortunately for the three-time major champion, he struggled hitting fairways, resulting in a second straight 73. While a bit disappointed with his own performance, Harrington remained effusive in his praise of Mickelson.

"It's the best I've ever seen him play," Harrington said. "It was as easy a 66 as you'll ever see."

-- Ryan Herrington