Bohn Grabs Wachovia Lead As Mickleson Falters

Charlotte, N.C. (AHN) - Jason Bohn fired a 5-under 67 at the halfway point on Friday for the lead in the second round of the Wachovia Championships, while Phil Mickelson, ranked no. 2 has been having trouble and was able to finish with two bogeys in his final four holes enroute to a 74.

Bohn, who sustained an injury to his ribs at the Memorial last June and was later re-injured during the latter part of the year due to a wrong diagnosis by doctors, bolted halfway using longer putters on the insistence of his coach Mike Shannon, an inch longer than he was accustomed to in the past, to take a two-shot lead at 9 under over Anthony Kim who trails with 67 while 2006 champion Jim Furyk, Dudley Hart and George McNeill were three strokes back after 67s.

"I just didn't feel comfortable," Bohn told the Associated Press on switching to a longer putter. "Finally I wizened up and listened to him."

Mickelson on the other hand, with attention focused on him after the absence of defending champion Tiger Woods who is recuperating from a left knee operation, dropped down to a tie for 25th place, seven shots back following a 68 on Thursday.

"There was a low round out there, and I let it slide there in the end," Mickelson told the AP. "Unfortunately I'll have a lot of work to do on the weekend."

Also struggling is first-round leader David Toms who slogged through a 3-over 75 that landed him in 25th spot to tie with Mickelson.

Bohn, who is ranked 196th, had 12 tournaments to keep his playing status for the year 2008 while earning $257,668. He recently finished sixth at the Verizon Heritage.

"I'm just excited to play. I don't have a lot of pressure now that my medical status is taken care of," Bohn told the AP. "I can just go out and free swing it."