Phil Mickelson says it is too early to talk about winning The Open, despite retaining top spot at Royal Troon.
Mickelson came agonisingly close to breaking major history on his to way to opening up a three-shot lead after day one, before following that up with a two-under 69 in wet conditions on Friday morning to set the clubhouse target.
The world No 19 birdied two of his opening seven holes before going inches away from a hole-in-one at the par-three eighth, the infamous Postage Stamp, briefly extending his advantage to five.
Mickelson then bounced back from a first blemish in 49 holes at the 12th to post a birdie-two at the 14th, only to reduce his cushion at the top of the leaderboard with a dropped shot at the 15th.
"I thought it was a good round to back up the low round yesterday," Mickelson told reporters. "I made one or two bad swings that led to bogeys, but for the most part I kept the ball in play and played kind of stress-free golf.
"I feel like if I have to get one in the fairway, I've got a club and a shot that I could do fairly easily and consistently, and that has led to me playing well in the elements today.
"Yesterday's round was a big round for me to ultimately keep pace or set the pace, but to not lose too much ground because I felt like these coming three days are the days that I'd be best prepared for."
The 46-year-old saw his clubhouse advantage cut to just one stroke after Henrik Stenson's second-round 65 lifted the Swede to nine under, with Soren Kjeldsen moving to within three shots of the lead thanks to a three-under 68.
Mickelson hasn't won a tournament since lifting the Claret Jug at Muirfield in 2013 and admits there's still a long way to go before he can consider the possibility of a sixth major title.
"We've got a lot of work to do," Mickelson added. "It's too far off to start thinking like that, but certainly there is nothing more that I would love to add than another Claret Jug.
"I don't feel the pressure like probably a lot of players do to try to win because I've already won it, and that takes a lot of pressure off.
"I'm starting to hit some shots like I did ten years ago and starting to play some of my best golf again. I don't see why there's any reason why I can't continue that not just this week but for years."
Meanwhile, pre-tournament favourite Dustin Johnson is hoping to force his way back into contention for the title on Saturday after three birdies in his final four holes saw him finish on two under, eight shots off the lead.
"I went into the gorse on seven, had to re-tee, and same on 11 - hit a good shot but it swirled out of bounds," the 32-year-old American said. "Other than that I played really well.
"Those holes on the back nine are tough, but to birdie 15, 16 and 17 I feel I got a little momentum. I felt like I swung it really well and hit a lot of great shots, so I'm looking forward to the weekend.
"Tomorrow I am going to have to go out and shoot a good score, for sure. I know I'll be off pretty early in front of the leaders. I've got to go out and post a number. I've got 36 holes to see how good I am."
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