SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Golf Channel debuts its 2013 "Spotlight" coverage this weekend during the final two rounds of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The coverage will feature perhaps the three most interesting holes at TPC Scottsdale -- the par-5 15th, the always-entertaining stadium at the 16th and the driveable par-4 17th. The coverage will air live on Golf Channel while NBC is on the air live with its traditional coverage from 3-6 p.m. ET.

The "Spotlight" coverage will end at 5 p.m. and viewers will be directed to the final hour of NBC's third- and fourth-round broadcast. 

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Bill Haas and Phil Mickelson teed off within nine minutes of each other on opposite nines at TPC Scottsdale on Friday. 

They'll be seeing a lot of each other on Saturday, though, after Haas played his way in the final group with a bogey-free 64 that left him 13 under and four strokes behind Mickelson. Keegan Bradley, who is tied with Brandt Snedeker at 12 under, joins the two on the first tee at 12:50 p.m. ET.

"They're good guys and very good players, so it's always fun to be up there near the top," said Haas, who happened to beat the two in a playoff at the Northern Trust Open last year.

Mickelson appeared to be pulling away, though, when he got to 19 under after he drove the 17th green and two-putted for birdie. A water-logged double bogey at the 18th hole, though, made the gap much more manageable.

"Obviously Phil is playing very well," Haas said. "Obviously we would need him to do that on 18, and we need him to do more stuff like that for us to catch him. I don't think it's that big of a speed bump for him. He'll make a lot of birdies.
 
"But we all know the way the course is playing, if there's no wind on the weekend, you've just got to keep making birdies."

Haas has made his share, too. He started on the back nine Friday, birdied the first two holes and went on to make the turn in 30. The front nine wasn't as generous but a 14-footer at the seventh hole propeled Haas into sole possession of second.

"I'm very pleased with my two days," Haas said. "... (The highlight was) just getting off to a nice start, birdied 10 and 11 right out of the gate, so that kind of frees you up a little bit."

Haas said he became aware of Mickelson's surge when he saw the scoreboard by the sixth green after he putted out for par.  Mickelson had just stiffed an 8-iron to 4 feet for an eagle at No. 17 to get to 17 under and Haas trailed by five again.

In a wierd way, the knowledge was a good thing for Haas.

"I just remember thinking that maybe he wasn't going as low today, and then I looked up and saw that he was 6 under for the day," Haas said. "Just made me basically focus on me actually more than anything and just say, well, you can't do anything about him. That's how you have to do it. One shot at a time, I guess."

By Fred Albers, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. -- The combination of warmer temperatures and altitude led to some phenomenal distances in the second round of the Waste Management Open on Friday.

Phil Mickelson hit a 358-yard drive, followed by a 191-yard 8-iron to reach the 550-yard 15th hole in two shots. He then converted a four-foot eagle putt. Mickelson also used a 3-wood to drive the green at the 344-yard 17th hole that led to a two-putt birdie from 72 feet.

Patience: After shooting a 60 in the opening round, Phil Mickelson made six pedestrian pars to begin play on Friday. Many players would have been frustrated, some would have been mad. Mickelson showed restraint and patience, until finally making a birdie on the seventh hole. That opened the cookie jar. His patience was rewarded with a rush of red numbers, finishing with six birdies and an eagle over the final 12 holes.

Club selection: Mickelson hit 3-wood into the water at the 18th hole resulting in a double bogey. Should he have hit driver? The carry over the water and bunker is 300 yards, which Mickelson could easily handle. Instead, Phil tried to draw a 3-wood off the lake and short of the bunkers on the right-hand side. He had used the 3-wood successfully back at the 11th and 17th, leading to birdie and tried to duplicate it at the 18th. Mickelson reasoned he was hitting his irons so well, anything in the fairway would allow him to control his approach into the green, giving him one final birdie opportunity. It may have been the correct decision, but it was poor execution.

Ping: Scottsdale is the home of Ping, which means their staff players can do a lot of tinkering with their equipment. Jeff Maggert made the switch to the G-25 driver and I don’t think he regrets the move. Maggert hit 14 of 14 fairways in the first round and is 23 of 28 for the week, which is a tournament best.

Home game: Robert Garrigus lives in Phoenix and frequently plays TPC Scottsdale. He enjoys the home cooking and local knowledge but admits there are challenges to playing in his hometown. Garrigus says he had requests for more than 100 tickets this week. The advantage of sleeping at home every night might be negated by the extra effort needed to accommodate family and friends.

Weekend: With a four-shot lead, Phil Mickelson is a prohibitive favorite to win this weekend but don’t sell Bill Haas short. He’s hit 20 of 28 fairways, 29 greens and used just 53 putts in 26 holes. Haas trails only Brian Gay in strokes gained-putting for 36 holes. If Phil stumbles, don’t be surprised to see Haas hot in pursuit.

Popularity: Phil Mickelson is Arizona’s favorite son. He went to school at Arizona State and used to live in Phoenix, so it’s not surprising Mickelson is loved at TPC Scottsdale. Phil makes sure that is not unrequited love. After making eagle on the 15th hole, Mickelson spotted a young girl in the gallery, then walked over and handed her the prized golf ball. Several thousand golf fans witnessed his generosity and will be members of the Phil Mickelson fan club for life.

Fred Albers is a course reporter for SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio. For more information on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, click here.

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --  For the second straight day, Phil Mickelson's round didn't end the way he had hoped.

On Thursday, he had chances to shoot a 59 -- or even better, a 58 -- but he was unable convert the birdie putts on the last two holes. Friday's frustration came in the form of a double bogey at the 18th hole where Mickelson drive hit the bank and trickled into the water, costing him a chance at the TOUR's 36-hole scoring mark.

Mickelson, though, is the ultimate glass-half-full guy, and when you're leading by four strokes at 17 under it's easier to take away the positives. That's what the four-time major champion did when someone asked about the disappointing finish.

"I think it's very possible that's going to help me because it's got me refocused, that I cannot ease up on a single shot," Mickelson said. "... These guys are going to make a lot of birdies and I've got to get after it and cannot make those kinds of mistakes. 

"Hopefully it'll help me refocus for tomorrow's round and come out and shoot something low."

Don't bet against him, either. Mickelson is a two-time champion at TPC Scottsdale who thrives on the risk-reward challenge the course presents.

He's played in the tournament 23 times previously and is a combined 116 under -- with his best performances coming in 2003 and 2005 when he shot 17 under for the week. His scoring average prior to this week was 69.40, as well.

Mickelson started slowly on Friday, parring his first six holes. He made five birdies over his next seven holes, then thrilled the crowd at the 15th hole with a 358-yard drive and an 8-iron to 4 feet for eagle. Mickelson also drove the green at the 17th hole and two-putted for a final birdie.

"I didn't get off to the fastest start but was patient and ended up making a lot of birdies and eagles there in middle of the round," Mickelson said. "Unfortunately I made a double on the last hole and didn't finish the way I wanted to.

"But I think it's a good example of what can happen on this course. You can make a lot of birdies and eagles, make up a lot of ground, but there's a lot of water and trouble there that if you misstep you can easily make bogeys and double.
 
"It'll be an interesting weekend because I think it's going to be kind of a shootout where a lot of guys will be making runs, and it'll be up to me and the other guys in the last group to get going."

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --  Jason Dufner's PGA TOUR-leading streak of consecutive cuts made came to an end on Friday at TPC Scottsdale.

Dufner, who had not missed a cut since the Sony Open in Hawaii last year, a streak of 22 straight, made three bogeys in his final seven holes on Friday, two of which came on par 5s, to fall one shot shy of playing the weekend.

Ian Poulter now has the longest streak of consecutive cuts made at 16.

Dufner, who tied for eighth at last year's Waste Management Phoenix Open and lost in a playoff in 2010, shot an even par 71 on Friday to finish 3 under for the tournament.

A total of 74 players survived the cut, including defending champion Kyle Stanley.

Among those making early exits are J.B. Holmes, a two-time champ at TPC Scottsdale; Rickie Fowler; PGA TOUR rookie Nicolas Colsaerts; former major champions Trevor Immelman, Martin Kaymer, Geoff Ogilvy and Mike Weir; and the 2010 Waste Management Phoenix Open champ Mark Wilson.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --  Phil Mickelson flirted with the PGA TOUR's 36-hole scoring record on Friday before making a water-logged double bogey on the 18th hole at TPC Scottsdale.

The two-time Waste Management Phoenix Open champion is right where he wants to be, though --- alone at 17 under after Friday's 65, four strokes ahead of his nearest competitor, Bill Haas. Mickelson has a two-day total of 125, which ties the midway mark at TPC Scottsdale set by Mark Calcavecchia in his 2001 victory.

Haas made up ground with a 64 in the second round while Keegan Bradley and Brandt Snedeker are tied at 12 under, another stroke off the pace. Bradley shot a 63 while the reigning FedExCup champion shot 66.

Snedeker and Haas came to Phoenix with momentum, too, after tying for second and ninth at last week's Farmers Insurance Open. Mickelson, on the other hand, was searching for form after finishing T37 and T51 in his first two starts.

After rounds of 60 and 65 before an adoring crowd, Arizona State's favorite son certainly appears to have found it.

That said, Mickelson was obviously disappointed with his finish on Friday. But at the same time, he could see an upside as he contemplated a weekend of competition he said would be a "shootout."

"I think it's very possible that's going to help me because it's got me refocused, that I cannot ease up on a single shot," Mickelson said. "... These guys are going to make a lot of birdies and I've got to get after it and cannot make those kinds of mistakes. 

"Hopefully it'll help me refocus for tomorrow's round and come out and shoot something low."

Mickelson, Haas and Bradley will play together in the final group on Saturday. The three have history together -- Haas beat the other two in a playoff at the  Northern Trust Open 50 weeks ago after Bradley and Mickelson both birdied the 72nd hole to force sudden death.

Not to mention, MickMickelson and Bradley teamed for three emotionally-charged wins at the most recent Ryder Cup. Mickelson played with Haas on the last Presidents Cup in Australia, too.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --  Who says it's hard to follow a really low round with another one?

Phil Mickelson, who flirted with a 59 on Thursday before settling for a 60, has just moved to 7 under for the day with an eagle at the 15th hole, a 550-yard par 5. Mickelson hit his drive there 358 yards, then hit his approach from 194 to 4 feet for the 3.

The two-time Waste Management Phoenix Open champ is now in command at 18 under, six strokes ahead of Keegan Bradley, who shot 63 Friday morning, and Bill Haas, who has three holes remaining.

And in case you were wondering, Mickelson's drive wasn't the longest in the desert air this week. Monday qualifier John Hurley and Scottsdale resident Bubba Watson both have drives in excess of 370 yards -- 377 and 375, to be exact.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- There's a been-there, done-that feel to the top of the leaderboard at the Waste Management Phoenix Open right now.

Phil Mickelson has opened a three-stroke advantage at 15 under after making four birdies in his last six holes. Keegan Bradley has already posted 12 under after shooting 63 on Friday but Bill Haas has gotten to that number, as well, and he has seven holes to go.

The same three players figured prominently into the outcome at the Northern Trust Open 52 weeks ago. Haas closed with a 69 at Riviera and ended up beating Mickelson and Bradley, who played in the day's final group, in a playoff that both birdied the 72nd  hole to make.

A final pairing featuring the three would be interesting. But a decision on whether the third round will be contested in threesomes or twosomes won't be made until tournament officials see how many players survive the cut. There are currently 74 players are 4 under or better.

Brandt Snedeker, who is playing the opposite nine, was also tied with Haas and Bradley until he made double bogey at the par-3 12th hole. Snedeker, who tied for second last week and shared third at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, put his tee shot in the back greenside bunker and left his second one there as well, then proceeded to miss a 6-footer for bogey.

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Keegan Bradley had a few minutes before he teed off on Thursday afternoon so he joined the group huddled around the TV to see whether his good buddy and Ryder Cup partner Phil Mickelson could pull off that historic 59.

"(When) the putt lipped out, and you could just hear the whole place groan because they all wanted it to go in," Bradley said. "I saw him last night and gave him a high five. He was laughing about it. There wasn't much he could do. He hit a perfect putt. 

"I just hope that my partner can ease up on me a little this afternoon and not go too low for the weekend."

Bradley is sure to be in the mix -- if not in Saturday's final group, possibly with Mickelson, to boot -- after he shot a 63 Friday morning that tied his career low on TOUR and moved him to 12 under. He was one shot ahead of Mickelson, who played in the afternoon, when he finished his round although the four-time major champion had regained sole possession of the lead by the time he made the turn.

Bradley got off to a hot start Friday, making three birdies and an eagle in his first seven holes. The eagle came courtesy of a 351-yard drive and a 7-iron to 8 feet and Bradley followed with a 6-footer for birdie at the rocking 16th hole.

As he made the turn, though, Bradley acknowleged he got "tight." He proceeded to bogeyed No. 2 from the right fairway bunker but he shook that off with a string of four straight birdies starting at the fifth hole. 

"It was such a relief to shoot a good number," Bradley said. "I've been playing so well this whole year and haven't played many putts, and today the putts started to go in. I really had a fun time, 15, 16 with the crowds, and it just was a really fun round today. ...
 
"And you know, anytime you shoot 63, you put yourself back in the tournament."

Bradley, who won three times in his first two years on the PGA TOUR, including the 2011 PGA Championship, is smart enough to realize when he gets ahead of himself like he did as he headed to the front nine Friday. But a solid 3-wood down the fifth fairway that helped set up a 12-foot birdie putt turned the tide.

"I started to think about where I stood and what I needed to do, and I kept thinking to myself, finally you're shooting a good number, and I got really tight and started to miss a few fairways, and I start to really worry about my result, which is something I work on with Dr. Bob Rotella," Bradley explained

"Then I hit a really, really good drive on the fifth hole, and then it just kind of lifted from there. ... I just relaxed a little bit. I want to get myself into contention so bad sometimes that it can work against me, and that's when I kind of have to relax and take a deep breath."