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Desert Classic second round betting tips and analysis

Wise to back playing partner Aaron to outshine Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson leads the way at the Desert Classic
Phil Mickelson leads the way at the Desert ClassicCredit: Jeff Gross

Round two
Sky Sports Golf, 8pm Friday

Phil Mickelson fired a sparkling 12-under-par 60 to take a three-shot lead into round two of the Desert Classic and the veteran American is now 3-1 to win in La Quinta for the first time since 2004.

Mickelson, who also captured this title in 2002, put on a show for the California crowds with ten birdies and an eagle as he threatened to card the first 59 of his career around rain-softened La Quinta Country Club.

The 48-year-old eventually required one shot too many but he holds a commanding lead heading into round two of the pro-am. Lefty plays the Nicklaus Tournament Course today, where Adam Long carded 63 to lie second to the five-time Major champion.

Curtis Luck is four behind Mickelson while Trey Mullinax, Adam Hadwin, Wyndham Clark and Martin Laird are all five adrift.

Jon Rahm is battling flu
Jon Rahm is battling fluCredit: Jeff Gross

Defending champion and ante-post favourite Jon Rahm, who was hampered by flu in unusually cold California conditions, battled to an excellent six-under 66 around La Quinta despite admitting that he feels weak and is struggling with distance control.

Justin Rose, also playing La Quinta on his first competitive outing since signing with Japanese club manufacturer Honma, closed with three birdies as he fired a promising 68.

Despite his first-round brilliance, it may pay for punters to oppose Mickelson when he tees off alongside Aaron Wise at 4.40pm on Friday.

Wise produced a tidy 68 playing with Phil the Thrill yesterday and this consistent operator, who is threatening to produce big things on the PGA Tour this season, has the ability to contend in this tournament.

Mickelson made a mockery of his own suggestion that he was likely to be rusty on his 2019 return but it is often difficult to follow a super-low round with another and Wise will be eager to narrow the gap to his playing partner.

The 22-year-old ended 2018 in red-hot form and has already finished 34th and 17th in this event, which points to him surging up the leaderboard on day two.

Recommendation
A Wise to win twoball
1pt 6-5 Betfair, Paddy Power


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Joe ChampionRacing Post Sport

Published on 18 January 2019inGolf tips

Last updated 18:57, 18 January 2019

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