Warning: Pebble Beach hard and fast today

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- It will be fascinating to watch how Phil Mickelson manages his game Saturday at the U.S. Open after that sterling 66 on Friday, a glorious performance that was two strokes better than the next lowest round of the tournament. But one thing's for certain: a 66 by Mickelson or anyone else in the third round would be some feat.

The reason: water. Or lack of it.

Only very light watering was applied to the small putting surfaces at Pebble Beach GL overnight, so unless someone goes out early and takes advantage of the smooth putting surfaces, low scoring is just not in the forecast. The 83 players who made the cut are no doubt expecting a harder golf course, but just so no one is surprised, the USGA's Mike Davis, the point man in setting up Pebble, has instructed starter Ron Read to inform each pairing that the greens are significantly more firm than Friday.

-- Dave Shedloski