By Tony Jimenez
TROON, Scotland (Reuters) - Five-times major winner Phil Mickelson shrugged off the worst weather of the week to maintain his lead early in the British Open second round on Friday.
The 46-year-old American, bidding to become the oldest winner of the championship in the modern era, compiled a two-under-par 69 to finish with an overall 10-under tally of 132.
Swede Henrik Stenson (65) was one shot off the pace while Dane Soren Kjeldsen (68) ended up on 135.
Conditions were perfectly acceptable on the front nine and Mickelson took advantage with early birdies at the fourth and seventh.
The veteran left-hander then delivered a pinpoint tee shot at Royal Troon's signature eighth hole, the par-three Postage Stamp, that landed several feet beyond the flag before spinning back to stop within inches of the cup.
As driving rain began to fall on the inward half and winds started to gust up to 15mph, Mickelson mixed two bogeys with a solitary birdie to make sure he claimed the clubhouse lead.
"I really enjoy the challenge this weather and these elements provide," the 2013 British Open winner told reporters. I thought it was a good round to back up the low round yesterday.
BAD SWINGS
"I made one or two bad swings that led to bogeys but for the most part kept the ball in play and played kind of stress-free golf.
"One of the things I've really worked on over the years is getting a ball on to the ground off the tee quickly so the ground is affecting it more so than the air," added Mickelson.
There was a sombre mood at the start of the day with the French tricolour flying at half-mast by the 18th green as the Open paid tribute to the victims of the Bastille Day attack in Nice.
An attacker at the wheel of a heavy truck ploughed into crowds celebrating Bastille Day in the French city late on Thursday, killing at least 84 people and injuring scores more in what President Francois Hollande called a terrorist act.
French golfer Clement Sordet, who teed off in the first three-ball of the day, had the words 'pray for Nice' emblazoned on his cap which also carried a black ribbon.
"I tried not to think about it but that's why I had this on my hat," Sordet told reporters after carding a 75 for an eight-over-par tally of 150 that is highly unlikely to make the cut.
"I was just trying to enjoy my last day at the Open.
I live in Nice. It happened maybe 500 metres from where I live.
"I'm really proud to be French and I think we all need to support each other. I just say my prayers," added Sordet.
Former world number one Lee Westwood, four-times major winner Ernie Els and world number six Stenson were among several other players wearing black ribbons on their headgear.