Welcome Oakland Hills boost for Mickelson in Ohio

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AKRON, Ohio (Reuters) - Phil Mickelson gave himself an important lift for next week's PGA Championship at Oakland Hills by surging into contention at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Friday.

The American world number two fired a four-under-par 66 on a steamy day of bright sunshine at Firestone Country Club for a six-under total of 134.

With his improved short game in sparkling form, the left-hander compiled five birdies and his first bogey of the week to end the day one stroke behind pacesetting Fijian Vijay Singh.

"It's been a good first two days and a fun first two days," Mickelson, the highest-ranked player in the field in the absence of injured world number one Tiger Woods, told reporters.

"I love the opportunity to get our games ready and sharp for next week going into the PGA, but this is an awesome event and I'm excited that I put myself in a good position heading into the weekend."

Two strokes off the pace overnight, Mickelson briefly moved to the top of the leaderboard with an outward nine of two-under 33.

SHORT GAME

He picked up further shots at the second, third and seventh, where he rolled in a 30-footer, before bogeying the par-four eighth after hitting his approach into a bunker.

A par-saving putt from 20 feet on his final hole, the par-four ninth, capped a satisfying day for the three-times major winner who spent last week working on his short game.

Mickelson, who has yet to win one of the prestigious World Golf Championship events, was delighted with his improved performance on and around the greens after an indifferent last month.

"I feel much, much better with the putter and much better with the wedges," the 38-year-old Californian said.

"I hit some great wedge shots today, just the basic little chip shots that I expect to get close. I spent last week on short game exclusively and I feel like it's starting to come around."

The PGA Championship, the last of the year's four majors, is being played at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan from August 7-10

(Editing by John O'Brien)