A Case of Mistaken Identity Costs 2 Shots : Golf: Balls that look alike in the fairway are different on the green, penalizing Mickelson and Faxon at Torrey Pines.

By DAN HAFNER

Feb. 11, 1995 12 AM PT

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

LA JOLLA — It may be that the only golfer who can beat Phil Mickelson in this tournament is Phil Mickelson.

The 24-year-old left-hander made a mistake one would expect only from a novice on Friday, and it cost him a share of the lead at the halfway point of the Buick Invitational of California at Torrey Pines.

Mickelson and Brad Faxon strolled onto the first green on the South Course, their 10th hole of the day. Mickelson was 10 under par, Faxon nine under, and both appeared in birdie range, near each other on the difficult 447-yard par-four hole.

Mickelson looked at the balls--both Titleists, but different types--and said, “I thought I was inside you, Brad.”

Each had hit the other’s ball on their second shots. The error cost each two shots, and they had to replay those second shots. Mickelson practically shanked his and had to make a great shot from the rough to save a double bogey.

He recovered to post a 69 for a 36-hole total of 134, 10 under par. But he trails Brandel Chamblee, a non-winner in his sixth season on the tour, by the two strokes he was penalized.

Faxon skidded to a 71 and is seven shots back.

Chamblee eagled his final hole for a second successive 66 and a 132 total for 36 holes. He leads Peter Jacobsen, the winner at Pebble Beach last week, and second-year player Steve Stricker by a shot. Jacobsen also finished with an eagle on the par-five 18th for a 65, seven under par, on the tougher South Course.

Stricker, who shot a 67 Thursday, threatened to blow open the tournament on the North course. After beginning on No. 10, he was eight under par after 10 holes and 13 under for the tournament when he chipped in from 25 feet away for an eagle on No. 1. But he made three bogeys in four holes and quickly came back to the pack.

Nolan Henke joined Mickelson at 134 and there are seven at 135. Defending champion Craig Stadler shot a 69 and is at 136, eight under and four strokes behind.

The cut was at 141 and Tom Kite, following an opening-round 75 with a 66, just made it. But Nick Faldo, considered by some the best player in the world, didn’t. Now a regular on the U.S. tour, Faldo’s putting woes continued. He missed a three-footer on his 36th hole that would have kept him playing today.

Mickelson took his misadventures in stride.

“It’s upsetting, but it’s no big deal,” he said. “We each hit the wrong ball and were penalized. It’s no different than hitting a ball out of bounds.

“When I went back to hit the ball over, I blocked it out and hit it into the rough, 25 feet from the green. So, instead of a 10-foot putt for a birdie, I had to struggle to make a double bogey.”

Mickelson said he still is in contention for his second victory here.

“I didn’t miss a putt from six feet in,” he said. “That’s good putting in my book. Although I didn’t sink any long putts, they were all close. I like my chances, but in a field like this, you don’t want to spot them a two-shot handicap.”

Jacobsen, who had not won since 1990 until last week, is still on a roll.

“I’m still on a high,” he said. “I have trouble sleeping, but I just keep on hitting the ball straight, chipping and putting well. Maybe it will carry through the weekend.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

GOLF

LEADERS

Brandel Chamblee: 66-66--132

Steve Stricker: 67-66--133

Peter Jacobsen: 68-65--133

Nolan Henke: 68-66--134

Phil Mickelson: 65-69--134

Dennis Paulson: 67-68--135

Mike Hulbert: 70-65--135

Bob Burns: 66-69--135

Joey Sindelar: 68-67--135