Mickelson Stretches Lead

Phil Mickelson says he isn’t shooting for any records this weekend at the BellSouth Classic. He says his focus is on preparing for the Masters.

At least one of his competitors says Mickelson looks as if he’s shooting for more than momentum.

Mickelson shot a 65 Friday as he continued to attack the TPC at Sugarloaf course in Duluth, Ga., at a record pace.

One day after matching the course record with a first-round 63, Mickelson was seven under in the second round to set a tournament record for 36 holes at 16-under 128.

The PGA record for most strokes under par through four rounds on a par-72 course is 29 under by Joe Durant in the 2001 Bob Hope Classic.

Mickelson is on pace to finish at 32-under 256. The PGA record low total for 72 holes is 254 by Tommy Armour III in the 2003 Texas Open.

J.J. Henry matched Mickelson’s 65 Friday to move into second at 134 -- a total that would have led in five of the previous nine years. Instead, he’s six strokes behind Mickelson.

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Scott Simpson shot a five-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead over Champions Tour veterans Gil Morgan and David Eger after a windy opening round at the Blue Agave Golf Classic in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Six players were tied at three under, including Allen Doyle, who has won 10 times on the Champions Tour.